Portugal must get more from Cristiano Ronaldo as they take on Uzbekistan in search of their first win of the 2026 World Cup. Roberto Martinez’s side were held to a stunning 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opener, with Yoane Wissa snatching a point for the African side in first-half stoppage time.
Midfield Trio Shines
Joao Neves had opened the scoring with a sixth-minute glancing header, and the midfielder will be prominent once more against Uzbekistan in what many have described as the midfield trio of the tournament. Neves lines up alongside Paris Saint-Germain club-mate Vitinha, with Manchester United captain and Premier League player of the season Bruno Fernandes ahead of them as the No10.
Ronaldo's Record
Debate rages on about talismanic striker Ronaldo, who against the DR Congo became the oldest outfield player ever at a World Cup at 41 years of age. He, of course, will start up top once more, and it remains to be seen whether Martinez sticks or twists with Bernardo Silva wide right and Pedro Neto on the opposite flank.
Potential Changes
He could turn to AC Milan’s wantaway winger Rafael Leao on the left for a bit more of a goal threat, and that would see PSG’s Nuno Mendes bomb around him on the overlap. At right-back, Barcelona’s Joao Cancelo switched over left-back when Nelson Semedo came on in Mendes’ place against the DR Congo.
Defensive Setup
Diogo Costa is the nailed-on No1 between the sticks, but there was a slight surprise in the heart of defence. Ruben Dias was not fit enough to start in the opener, with Tomas Araujo and Renato Veiga preferred to the likes of highly-rated Antonio Silva and Goncalo Inacio.
Predicted Portugal XI
Predicted Portugal XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves; Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo
Date and time: 6pm BST on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas. How to watch: ITV
