Portugal go into Tuesday’s World Cup clash with Uzbekistan in Houston knowing anything less than a victory would leave their campaign in serious jeopardy, after a stunning 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Group K opener. Roberto Martinez’s side, ranked among the pre‑tournament favourites, currently sit third in the group following Yoane Wissa’s first‑half stoppage‑time equaliser, while Uzbekistan – making their first‑ever World Cup appearance as the first Central Asian nation and the first double‑landlocked country to reach the finals – lost their opening match 3‑1 to Colombia and are rooted to the bottom.
The pressure on Portugal is therefore considerable. João Neves had given them the perfect start in the sixth minute with a glancing header, but the team then struggled to create clear chances, managing only six shots – just one on target – across the entire contest. Their expected goals (xG) of 0.65 against DR Congo represented their worst attacking display in the competition since 1966, and the performance has prompted intense scrutiny of the starting eleven.
Martinez is likely to field a 4‑2‑3‑1 formation, with Diogo Costa an undisputed starter in goal. At right‑back João Cancelo, who switched to the left when Nuno Mendes was replaced against DR Congo, should retain his place, with Mendes on the opposite flank. The centre‑back pairing remains a question: Ruben Dias missed the opener because he was not fit enough to start, but the Manchester City defender has returned to training and is expected to be available. Martinez confirmed, “We have 22 field players, Ruben Dias is already back.” Tomás Araujo, who deputised alongside Renato Veiga in Dias’s absence, may be sidelined with an undisclosed injury, potentially opening the door for Dias to return alongside Veiga. Young defenders António Silva and Gonçalo Inácio, despite their reputations, appear to be behind the pair in the pecking order.
Up front, all eyes remain on Cristiano Ronaldo. At 41, the captain became the oldest outfield player ever to appear at a World Cup during the DR Congo match, yet his performance was widely described as ineffectual. He has now gone five World Cup appearances without scoring. Martinez has defended Ronaldo’s contribution, arguing he “opens up space with movement” and remains a “role model”, but the debate over whether he should continue to start is intensifying. Comments from João Neves – who said Ronaldo is “one of us” and “no different to the rest of the team” – have stirred further controversy among supporters.
Midfield triumvirate and attacking tweaks
The most discussed element of Portugal’s setup is the midfield trio that many have labelled the best of the tournament. Neves lines up alongside his Paris Saint‑Germain club‑mate Vitinha, with Manchester United captain and Premier League record‑assist holder Bruno Fernandes operating as the No 10 ahead of them. This combination is central to Martinez’s possession‑based philosophy, designed to stretch the pitch horizontally and allow wide forwards to pin back opponents. Yet concerns persist about Portugal’s open‑play attacking output and their vulnerability in defensive transitions. The trio’s chemistry will be critical against an Uzbekistan side expected to adopt a defensive posture, likely with a back five, to absorb pressure and limit space before exploiting counter‑attacks.
Martinez may also be weighing adjustments to his forward line. Bernardo Silva started wide on the right against DR Congo, with Pedro Neto on the left – Neto provided an assist but little else. The manager could turn to AC Milan’s wantaway winger Rafael Leão on the left to add a more direct goal threat, with Nuno Mendes bombing forward on the overlap. Another option is Francisco Conceição, who showed drive and directness when introduced from the bench. The predicted XI from the original report – Costa; Cancelo, Araújo, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves; Silva, Fernandes, Leão; Ronaldo – reflects the likely shape, though Dias’s potential return would change the centre‑back pairing, and Conceição could replace one of the wide players.
For Uzbekistan, this match is another historic step. Head coach Fabio Cannavaro – a Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup winner with Italy in 2006 – is taking charge of his first national team. His side will rely on captain Eldor Shomurodov, their all‑time top scorer, for hold‑up play, and on Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who scored Uzbekistan’s first‑ever World Cup goal against Colombia. Defender Abdukodir Khusanov, now at Manchester City, is the nation’s most recognisable face. Uzbekistan struggled to make an impact in their opener, recording no touches in the opposition penalty area in the first half, but they will aim to secure their first tournament points and prove they belong on the global stage.
This is the first senior international meeting between the two nations. Kick‑off is at 6pm BST on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, and the match will be broadcast live on ITV.
