Portugal Record 2nd-Biggest World Cup Group Win after Beating Uzbekistan 5-0

Portugal produced one of the most emphatic performances of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, thrashing Uzbekistan 5-0 to register the second-biggest victory in the nation’s World Cup group-stage history. 

The commanding result, achieved in Houston on Matchday 2, was exactly the response Portugal needed after their frustrating opening draw with DR Congo.

Cristiano Ronaldo set the tone early by opening the scoring in the sixth minute before Nuno Mendes doubled Portugal’s advantage 11 minutes later. 

Ronaldo struck again before half-time to put the match beyond Uzbekistan, while an own goal in the second half and a late effort from Rafael Leão completed the rout. 

2006 2026👑 pic.twitter.com/V9Vngo14Nu

— World Cup 2026 (@WorldCupMedia) June 23, 2026

The result revived memories of Portugal’s most dominant World Cup display in the group stage, the famous 7-0 victory over North Korea at the 2010 tournament, and underlined the attacking quality within Roberto Martínez’s side.

The win also carried added significance given the pressure surrounding Portugal after their 1-1 draw in the opening round, a result that sparked criticism of Ronaldo and raised questions about the team’s ability to impose themselves in the tournament.