Nuno Mendes scores a great free kick as Portugal extends their lead against Uzbekistan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The Portuguese football team started with full force in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring two goals in the first 18 minutes of the clash against Uzbekistan, in a game taking place at the Houston Stadium. The score, which registers 2-0 for Portugal, reflects the intensity and initial dominance of the team, which continues to look for more goals as the match progresses in the first half.
Details before kick-off
The atmosphere at Houston Stadium was one of great expectation even before the start of the match. With the teams profiled for official photos, the anxiety among fans and players was palpable. The public was able to watch the playing of the national anthems. First, that of Portugal, the symbolic host of the game, which was accompanied by a tribute to Diogo Jota, with his black and white photograph displayed on the screens, recalling the use of bracelets in honor of his former teammate at the World Cup debut. Then, it was time for the Uzbekistan anthem to echo throughout the stadium.
The players finally entered the field, led by captains Cristiano Ronaldo, for Portugal, and Shomurodov, for Uzbekistan. The countries’ flags were raised, sealing the moment of formality before the opening whistle that would begin the dispute for important points in the group stage.
TÁ EU, O GOLEIRO E TODO MUNDO ESPERANDO O CRISTIANO RONALDO BATER ESSA FALTA ATÉ AGORA. 👀👀👀ENQUANTO ISSO, NUNO MENDES METEU PRA DENTRO.🇵🇹 QUE GOL DE PORTUGAL!!!!👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼🔥
— CazéTV (@CazeTVOficial) June 23, 2026
VEM PRA TELA DA CAZÉTV! 𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐀, 𝐄𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐂𝐄! 😮💨#TempoRealCazéTV #CopaNaCazéTV pic.twitter.com/PKueoIweAV
Promising start for Portugal in Houston
The kickoff marked the beginning of a long-awaited clash, with Portugal taking possession of the ball and Uzbekistan quickly organizing itself in its defensive lines, seeking to contain the opponent’s momentum. The Uzbeks’ initial strategy was clear: close the spaces and try to surprise with counterattacks.
Just two minutes in, Bruno Fernandes had the first big chance. After receiving a pass from João Neves inside the box, he attempted a low cross which, however, was intercepted by the Uzbek defense. Shortly afterwards, Bruno Fernandes stood out again, this time with a finish. He moved the ball to his left leg and shot, but the ball went too high, going over the opponent’s goal and eliciting an “uuuuuh!” of frustration in the crowd.
After three minutes, Portugal demonstrated its ability to create from the left. Nuno Mendes ran down the flank, received it from João Félix and crossed low towards Cristiano Ronaldo. The number 7 stretched out on a cart, but barely managed to reach the ball, missing an opportunity to open the score. João Félix, one of the new players among the starters, started the match very active, participating in the plays and looking to combine with Nuno Mendes on the left, indicating an important attack route for the Portuguese team.
Cristiano Ronaldo opens the scoring with historic goal
The Portuguese pressure intensified and, after six minutes, the Houston Stadium exploded in celebration: GOOOOOOOOL FROM PORTUGAL! Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first goal. Vitinha’s cross from the right was accurate, finding the number 7 at the first post. He got ahead of the Uzbek defenders and finished strongly, opening the scoring for Portugal. This goal not only put Portugal ahead, but also engraved Cristiano Ronaldo’s name in the history of world football as the only player to score in six different editions of the World Cup, an impressive feat that earned him his traditional cry of “Siiiiiuuu!” to the crowd.
After the historic goal, Portugal almost extended the lead. In the seventh minute, a mistaken retreat by the Uzbek defense allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to run to compete for the ball with goalkeeper Nematov. The Uzbek archer, however, acted quickly, leaving with a cart to ward off the danger and avoid the second goal that seemed imminent.
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In the eighth minute, João Félix, who was very active, received the ball on the baseline, dominated the chest and suffered a harsh foul from Karimov. The infraction on Portugal’s number 11 resulted in a dangerous ball being taken into Uzbekistan’s area, increasing the pressure on the opposing defense.
Nuno Mendes extends lead from free kick
Portugal continued to look for the attack, and in the 10th minute, Bruno Fernandes lifted the ball into the area, which was partially blocked by the Uzbek defense. João Cancelo tried to capitalize on the rebound with a shot, but again an Uzbek defender was in the way to block the shot.
In the 11th minute, Karimov managed to disarm Nuno Mendes and regain possession of the ball for Uzbekistan. However, a subsequent wrong pass quickly returned the ball to Portugal, showing the Uzbek difficulty in maintaining possession and building offensive plays.
In the 12th minute, Portugal patiently worked on possession of the ball. Rúben Dias received the ball on the last line of defense and, when pressured by Shomurodov, he demonstrated coolness and skill, applying a dribble that dismantled the Uzbek striker’s attempt to steal the ball.
Uzbekistan tried to respond in the 13th minute, with Shomurodov being thrown into the back of the Portuguese defense. However, Diogo Jota left the area well, acting as a sweeper, to intercept the play and remove the danger. Shortly afterwards, Uzbekistan midfielder Khamrobekov received a yellow card for a foul on Pedro Neto on the edge of the area. This infraction resulted in a very dangerous foul for Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo positioning himself to take the penalty, which generated great expectation among the fans, many of them with cell phones in hand to record the moment.
At 16 minutes, the expectation turned into another goal: GOOOOOOOOL FROM PORTUGAL! Nuno Mendes took the free kick masterfully, hitting the corner of goalkeeper Nematov, who could do nothing to stop the goal. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was close to the ball, apparently only served to confuse the opposing defense. It was Portugal’s second goal, consolidating their 2-0 lead.
Even with the disadvantage, Uzbekistan did not give up and, in the 17th minute, had their first real dangerous move. After an exchange of passes on the left, Nasrullaev received a free kick. He tried to shoot, but Diogo Costa made a good save, keeping the Portuguese goal intact and the score at 2-0.
Decisive minutes of the match so far
Follow the main moments that marked the confrontation between Portugal and Uzbekistan until the 18th minute of the first half:
- 02′ 1T:Bruno Fernandes has Portugal’s first clear chance, with a shot that goes over the Uzbek goal.
- 06′ 1Q:Historic goal by Cristiano Ronaldo, who becomes the only player to score in six World Cups, after a cross from Vitinha.
- 08′ 1T:João Félix suffers a dangerous foul on the baseline, resulting in the ball in the Uzbek area.
- 13′ 1Q:Khamrobekov receives a yellow card for a foul on Pedro Neto, which generates a frontal free kick for Portugal.
- 16′ 1T:Nuno Mendes takes a free kick with precision and scores Portugal’s second goal.
- 17′ 1T:Nasrullaev, from Uzbekistan, finishes from outside the area, and Diogo Costa makes an important save.
Perspectives for the progress of the confrontation
The match is still underway, with Portugal demonstrating a dominant performance in the first 18 minutes of the first half. The Portuguese team capitalized on its opportunities and appeared organized in both attack and defense. Uzbekistan, in turn, tries to reorganize itself and look for spaces to reduce the advantage. The confrontation promises more emotions in the next few minutes, with the expectation that both teams will continue to seek the result. The Mix Vale portal continues with minute-by-minute coverage, bringing all the information, goals and decisive plays in real time for fans to follow every detail of this clash for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
