Ronaldo’s Portugal look to take control of Group K against Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal need a win over Uzbekistan in Houston to recover from their opening draw with DR Congo and take charge of Group K.
Jun 23, 2026
Portugal did not get the start they wanted in the United States, and now they need to put it right. Cristiano Ronaldo’s side face Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday knowing a win would steady a campaign that wobbled in its opening game.
The Group K fixture at NRG Stadium kicks off at 10:30pm IST. Portugal arrive as heavy favourites, but the same was true a week ago, and DR Congo still walked away with a point.
A draw that stung
Portugal were held 1-1 by DR Congo, at the World Cup for only the second time in their opener. Joao Neves put them ahead early, the kind of start that should have settled them, but Yoane Wissa levelled before the break and Portugal could not find a way back through. The result handed DR Congo their first ever World Cup point and left Portugal playing catch-up in the group.
Colombia took advantage, beating Uzbekistan 3-1 to move clear at the top on three points. Portugal and DR Congo sit on one apiece, with Uzbekistan still without a point, which is why Tuesday matters. A win lifts Portugal back into control of their own qualification; another slip and the final round of group games becomes nervy.
Uzbekistan still finding their feet
Uzbekistan are at a World Cup for the first time, and their introduction was a tough one. Colombia were too sharp in the final third, and the 3-1 scoreline could have been heavier. Even so, a debutant nation playing without fear has been one of the themes of this tournament, and Uzbekistan will not simply roll over against a Portugal side they have nothing to lose against.
Their best route is the one DR Congo found: stay compact, frustrate Portugal, and hope the favourites grow anxious if the goal does not come early. Get to the hour mark level and the pressure shifts onto the bigger name.
The Ronaldo question, again
At 41 and playing in a sixth World Cup, Ronaldo remains the story Portugal cannot escape. He is still capable of deciding a game in a moment, but the goals at major tournaments have dried up, and another quiet night would sharpen the debate about how central he should be to this team. For Portugal, the simpler truth is that they have enough quality across the pitch to win this comfortably if they play to it. Doing so is the test.