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Ronaldo's Portugal Faces Uzbekistan in Must-Win World Cup Qualifier
23 Jun
Summary
- Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo and faces Uzbekistan next.
- Uzbekistan lost 3-1 to Colombia and needs a draw to avoid elimination.
- This is the first-ever match between Portugal and Uzbekistan.
Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team are looking to rebound after a disappointing 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match. Their next challenge is against Uzbekistan, with the game set to take place on Tuesday, June 23, at Houston's NRG Stadium. Uzbekistan, who suffered a 3-1 defeat to Colombia, faces an early exit if they cannot secure at least a draw against Portugal.
Despite controlling possession in their previous match, Portugal struggled to create significant scoring opportunities. Coach Roberto Martinez has been elusive about whether veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo will start against Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's coach, Fabio Cannavaro, acknowledges his team's underdog status but emphasizes their strategy and fighting spirit.
This upcoming fixture marks a historic moment as it will be the first-ever meeting between Portugal and Uzbekistan. The match will kick off at 10:30 PM IST and will be broadcast live in India on the Unite8 Sports network and streamed on Zee5.
