Portugal took a 3-0 half-time lead over Uzbekistan in their FIFA World Cup clash as Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and became the first player in football history to score in six different World Cups. Nuno Mendes added the other goal as Portugal controlled the match through quick wide play and direct service into Ronaldo inside the box.
Portugal looked sharper than they had in their opening match against DR Congo. They moved the ball faster and pushed Uzbekistan deep from the opening minutes. Pedro Neto stretched the pitch on the right and Portugal repeatedly targeted Ronaldo with early crosses.
That approach brought the opening goal after seven minutes. Neto whipped the ball into the area and Ronaldo met it first time to drive his finish into the corner. The strike gave him goals in six World Cups, another mark in a career filled with records.
Portugal doubled their lead through an unexpected route. Pedro Neto won a free-kick near the edge of the box and many expected Ronaldo to take it. Nuno Mendes stepped up instead and smashed his effort beyond Abduvohid Nematov.
Uzbekistan briefly looked more settled midway through the half and even thought they had pulled a goal back when Ganiev fired into the top corner. VAR ruled out the effort after a foul on Joao Cancelo during the move.
Portugal shut the door quickly. Bruno Fernandes drove forward on a counter attack and released Ronaldo into space. The Portugal captain kept his finish simple and rolled the ball into the bottom corner for his second goal of the night.
Ronaldo now has 145 goals for Portugal, the same number he scored for Manchester United. He also reached 10 World Cup goals and moved beyond Eusebio’s total for Portugal in the competition.
Portugal have looked organised and direct. Uzbekistan have struggled to handle movement around the box and have spent long periods chasing the ball.
