After VAR review, referee disallows Uzbekistan’s goal: game remains 2-0 for Portugal with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nuno Mendes
The intense match between Portugal and Uzbekistan, valid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, saw a moment of high tension and a crucial decision in the 31st minute. An intervention by the video referee (VAR) canceled a goal from the Uzbek team, keeping the score at 2-0 in favor of the Portuguese. The game is still ongoing, full of strategic moves and a fierce dispute on the field.
VAR’s reversal and Uzbekistan’s disallowed goal
In the 29th minute of the first half, Uzbekistan was thrilled with what seemed to be their first goal of the match. Azizjon Ganiev finished powerfully, finding the left corner of the goal and reducing the deficit to 2-1. The players’ celebration, however, was quickly interrupted by the signal for a review of the move by the VAR.
The main referee, Jalal Jayed, indicated that the review protocol would be activated to check for a possible foul in the offensive play that preceded the goal. After a detailed analysis of the images, the verdict was confirmed: the goal would not be validated due to an infraction committed at the origin of the play. The Uzbek athletes demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the decision, but the score was restored to 2-0, directly impacting the course of the confrontation.
Key moments: the match timeline up to the 31st minute
The first stage of the game has been marked by a sequence of important plays, with Portugal demonstrating its offensive strength and Uzbekistan looking for opportunities. Below are the main events minute by minute:
- 1′: The start of the match is busy, with the Portuguese team already exploring the attack.
- 3′: Bruno Fernandes, from Portugal, takes a shot from the edge of the area, but the ball ends up going too high.
- 6′: GOAL from Portugal! Cristiano Ronaldo opens the scoring, taking advantage of a precise cross from João Cancelo and finishing in the right corner.
- 10′: Bekhruz Karimov of Uzbekistan commits a dangerous foul, resulting in a free kick for Portugal.
- 11′: Bruno Fernandes takes a free kick from outside the area, but the opposing goalkeeper saves it without any problems.
- 14′: The referee issues a yellow card to Uzbekistan’s Odiljon Khamrobekov after a foul play.
- 17′: GOAL from Portugal! Nuno Mendes extends the lead with a masterful free kick from the edge of the area.
- 19′: Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Nasrullaev tries to shoot from a promising distance, but Diogo Costa makes a good save.
- 20′: Bekhruz Karimov (Uzbekistan) commits another foul, resulting in another free kick for Portugal.
- 23′: The match is interrupted for a hydration break for the athletes on the field.
- 29′: Azizjon Ganiev scores for Uzbekistan, but the play is sent for VAR review.
- 30′: The referee awaits the VAR verdict, creating an atmosphere of great expectation.
- 31′: VAR disallows Uzbekistan’s goal due to a foul at the origin of the play, confirming the score 2-0 for Portugal.
Portugal establishes dominance and scores two crucial goals
Before the controversy involving VAR, the Portuguese team had already consolidated a significant advantage on the scoreboard, showing its technical superiority. After just 6 minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo, with his usual opportunism, found the net. After a perfect cross from João Cancelo, the number 7 finished with precision into the right corner, beating goalkeeper Abduvakhid Nematov and opening the scoring for Portugal. This early goal gave the team confidence and set the pace of the match.
At 17 minutes, the Portuguese advantage was increased by a move of pure class. Nuno Mendes took a free kick from the edge of the area with mastery, placing the curved ball into the left corner, in an undefendable shot. This second goal demonstrated Portugal’s ability to take advantage of dead ball opportunities and solidified their lead on the field, establishing a comfortable scenario before VAR’s reversal.
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Intense disputes and striking plays in midfield
From the opening whistle, the match has been characterized by remarkable intensity and several fierce battles for possession of the ball in midfield. In the 10th minute, Uzbekistan’s Bekhruz Karimov committed an infraction that resulted in a dangerous foul in Portugal’s favor, although Bruno Fernandes’ charge was not effective. Shortly afterwards, the same Karimov made a tougher tackle, being promptly warned with a yellow card in the 20th minute, which gave Portugal another free kick.
Even with the intense marking and stoppages, the Uzbek team tried to respond to the opposing pressure. In the 19th minute, Sherzod Nasrullaev risked a mid-range shot, but Diogo Costa showed good vision and defended the attack safely in the center of the goal. The dynamics of the game remain alive, with both sides seeking control of the actions and creating specific opportunities, which promises an equally contested second half. A strategic break for athletes to hydrate at 23 minutes allowed the teams to adjust their tactics.
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With the score at 2-0 for Portugal and the game still underway, expectations for the rest of the match are high. The disallowance of Uzbekistan’s goal by VAR demonstrates how technology has become a decisive factor in modern football, capable of drastically altering the result and course of a match. The next few minutes promise more emotions and twists, as both teams seek their goals in this important clash, which is still far from being defined.
