Portugal crushed Uzbekistan 5-0 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, an own goal and Rafael Leao added the other goals as Portugal controlled the game through quick wide play, aggressive pressing and sharp movement around the penalty area.
Portugal looked far sharper than they had in their opening match against DR Congo. They moved the ball with greater speed and forced Uzbekistan deep from the opening minutes. Pedro Neto stretched play on the right and Portugal repeatedly looked for Ronaldo with early service into the area.
That approach delivered the breakthrough after seven minutes. Neto whipped a cross into the box and Ronaldo met it first time to fire into the corner. The goal handed him another World Cup record and settled Portugal quickly.
Portugal struck again through an unexpected route. Neto won a free-kick near the edge of the box and many expected Ronaldo to take it. Nuno Mendes stepped forward instead and smashed his effort beyond Abduvohid Nematov.
Uzbekistan briefly thought they had a route back into the contest when Ganiev curled home midway through the first half. VAR ruled out the goal after officials spotted a foul on Joao Cancelo during the build-up.
Portugal then punished them on the break. Bruno Fernandes carried the ball through midfield and slipped 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.
The second half lost some pace but Portugal kept complete control. Roberto Martinez freshened his side with changes and Portugal used long spells of possession to manage the game.
Ronaldo continued hunting his hat-trick. He chased down loose balls, forced mistakes from Nematov and almost converted another clever set-piece routine after Fernandes clipped a pass into the area.
Portugal grabbed a fourth goal from a corner after chaos at the near post. Joao Felix got a touch inside a crowded box before the ball deflected in off Khusanov.
Uzbekistan created occasional openings through Shukurov and Eldor Shomurodov but Portugal never lost control of the match. Their midfield protected the defence comfortably and their pressing shut down counter attacks before they developed.
Rafael Leao completed the scoring three minutes from time. Nelson Semedo burst down the right and pulled the ball back into space before Leao hammered his finish into the top corner.
Ronaldo finished the night with 145 goals for Portugal, matching the number he scored for Manchester United across his club career. Portugal finished with five goals, complete control and first World Cup victory in this edition which looked far more convincing than their opening outing.
