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Portugal Hosts Uzbekistan in World Cup Group K Match at NRG Stadium
Portugal plays Uzbekistan on Tuesday at 12 p.m. local time after opening with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo. Uzbekistan enters after a 3-1 loss to Colombia in its tournament debut.
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Portugal meets Uzbekistan on Tuesday in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match at NRG Stadium in Houston. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. local time, or 17:00 GMT. Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo in its opener despite holding the majority of possession and recording seven shots.
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Cristiano Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes and took three of those shots but finished with only 25 touches, the fewest in any of his 43 major-tournament appearances of at least 70 minutes. The result left Portugal with one point and third place in the group. Uzbekistan lost its debut match 3-1 to Colombia.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored the team’s first-ever World Cup goal. The side recorded just five touches in the penalty area, the second-fewest among teams in the opening round of group games. ” He declined to confirm whether Ronaldo would start against Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro told his players to show more fighting spirit than in the Colombia match while staying within the team’s strategy. Opta’s supercomputer assigns Portugal an 80.3 percent chance of victory, Uzbekistan a 6.8 percent chance, and a draw a 12.9 percent chance. The two teams have never met before.
At FanDuel Sportsbook, Portugal is listed at -600 on the moneyline, Uzbekistan at +1600, and the draw at +600. Ronaldo is -165 to score anytime. The over 3.5 goals is +138. Colombia leads Group K with three points, DR Congo sits second with one, Portugal is third with one, and Uzbekistan has zero.
The top two teams plus the eight best third-placed sides advance to the round of 32.
