Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the field in Houston as Portugal takes on Uzbekistan after a disappointing FIFA World Cup opener.Later, England meets Ghana in Boston, before fellow Group L teams Panama and Croatia face off in Toronto.The final game of the day pits Colombia against DR Congo in Guadalajara.Follow all the action in our live blog.PinnedWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:58amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:58amLive score: Portgual vs UzbekistanCollapse all postsFilter PostsAll14Key Events2Goals1Portugal vs Uzbekistan10Key EventWed 24 Jun 2026 at 3:06amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 3:06am6' RONALDOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!By Simon SmaleWed 24 Jun 2026 at 3:05amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 3:05am4' Ronaldo!By Simon SmaleClose for Cristiano Ronaldo, who pinches his fingers together to illustrate just how close he was to getting on the end of that cross from Nuno Mendes.It's a brilliant ball but it was just centimetres too far ahead of Ronaldo.Great start for Portugal, who are moving the ball around like it's on fire.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 3:04amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 3:04am2' Chance Portugal!By Simon SmaleIt's Bruno Fernandes who gets the ball in the penalty area and creates space for himself with a lovely, cute turn before seeing his shot deflected over the bar.That was a great chance, a real bright moment for the Portuguese.The corner is swept in hard and low but it's cleared away relatively easily by the Uzbeks.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 3:01amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 3:01am1' We're underway in HoustonBy Simon SmaleIt is the all-white Uzbeks who kick off, against the all-red Portugal side.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:55amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:55amTime for the anthemsBy Simon SmaleHere are the players out in the field, surrounding the centre circle for the national anthems.Kick off is not far away.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:53amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:53am'Tension is not part of our team': MartínezBy Simon Smale- with Reuters(Getty Images)Portugal is ignoring the criticism that followed their 1-1 draw with Democratic Republic of Congo in their World Cup opener.In fact, Roberto Martínez said the unity within the squad is even stronger as they head into their second match against Uzbekistan.Martínez said on Monday that Portugal started against DR Congo brightly but lost discipline and structure after the first 20 minutes.He said that wouldn't happen against Uzbekistan."We are strong and focused," Martínez said."And our group is even more united than before. It is a process. Tension is not part of our team."It’s normal to have criticism after a poor result. Sometimes it's unfair or negative but it is not part of how we prepare."With Colombia beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opening match to top Group K, Martínez said his team know a victory is important to keep pace with the South Americans and secure a place in the knockout phase."The feeling of disappointment is one we all have as a team," Martínez said."Tomorrow I do feel like we will have a team that will be ready to perform for 90 minutes at the level we have."Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:46amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:46amUzbekistan focused on having 'happy' World CupBy Simon Smale- Reuters(Getty Images)Uzbekistan must show more fight against Portugal in their second World Cup match than they did against Colombia in their 3-1 opening defeat, coach Fabio Cannavaro said on Monday.Uzbekistan are making their first appearance at the World Cup, and Italian Cannavaro, who won the 2006 tournament as a player, expected his side to have learned from their loss to the South Americans.“As I have always said, we have nothing to lose,” he told reporters ahead of Tuesday's Group K game.“Portugal always like to control the game. They will start in a very good way, they want to play fast. We will be prepared for that.“We have our strategy. I know we are going to face a very good team. We will try to do our best, stay in the game until the end.“I asked my team to play with more fighting spirit than against Colombia, but we cannot just run around stupidly everywhere.”Cannavaro also warned his side not to fall into the trap of focusing too heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo, who delivered a below-par performance in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo."We cannot focus only on Cristiano. He is one of the greatest players ever, but Portugal has more good players and talent on the bench," he added."Having said that, Cristiano can score in every situation. We need to be very careful.”Cannavaro said that while his role in 2026 is totally different from that when he captained Italy to the title in 2006, he still feels the same thrill of being at the tournament.“As a player you think on more of an individual level, but as a coach you cannot do that. You need to talk to the players, think about the strategy and so on," he added.“I don’t try to show them videos of how it was to hold the World Cup because it was 20 years ago. But I try to show them how it is to play as a team."You have [Lionel] Messi and Maradona who can win games by themselves, but for us it is always about playing as a team.“When you are at a World Cup it stays with you forever. And I am lucky because I have very happy memories.”Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:40amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:40amWhat's it like inside Houston Stadium?By Amanda ShalalaThis is my first time here, and I'm coming off attending a few games in the luxurious surrounds of 'Jerry World' aka Dallas Stadium.(Getty Images)This is another air-conditioned, indoor stadium, which is an absolute must in Texas.It doesn't have all the mod cons of Dallas, but still well laid out for a good viewing experience with the steep stands.The Portugal line-up has just been announced and yes there were huge cheers for Ronaldo, but a healthy dose of boos thrown in too. Most from the Uzbeks in the crowd, as basically everyone else is wearing a CR7 jersey, including plenty of locals.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:37amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:37amNoBy Simon SmaleIs it true Ronaldo has announced his retirement? - Russ HendricksWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:31amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:31amCristiano Ronaldo under the spotlightBy Simon SmaleOh, Ronnie.(Getty Images)So, let's explore the Madeiran elephant in the room shall we?Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 41 years and 132 days is now the oldest outfield player in World Cup history, was poor in the Seleção's opening game.I saw one stat that showed that no single player had walked a greater distance in a match at the World Cup than Ronaldo did against Congo.Indeed, Portugal only attempted seven shots, with just one on target, against DR Congo.That was its worst figure in a single match in the competition since at least 1966.Ronaldo himself has now gone 10 consecutive games without scoring in the World Cup or Euros.People did wonder whether his move to the Saudi Pro league would help extend his international career or merely prolong it — I feel there is a subtle difference between the two.He was poor, and Thierry Henry explained it perfectly on Fox Sports.Can he still be a threat for Portugal up front? Of course.Roberto Martínez defended Ronaldo ahead of today's match."We are a team that wants the ball," Martínez said."We want to defend and react quickly. We want to counterattack quickly. You need a player that opens up space with movement and Cristiano is one of the best to do that."He is a player who has been defending and playing for his country for a long time and he wants to keep improving for the team. He is really a role model for the team."But boy, he needs to be better than he was last time out.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:27amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:27amGreetings from HoustonBy Amanda ShalalaGood morning World Cup fanatics, I'm coming to you from Houston Stadium today for this clash between Portugal and Uzbekistan.We all know the chat about Cristiano Ronaldo and whether he's past it. The sentiment from his many millions of fans around the world is an emphatic no, and they are keeping the faith in the 41-year-old.(Getty Images)He will want to have a big game today though, against a less fancied opposition like Uzbekistan could be just the confidence boost, and critics silencer, he needs.Ronaldo arrives at Houston Stadium (Getty Images)Key EventWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:23amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:23amTeam news: Portugal vs UzbekistanBy Simon SmaleHere's how the two teams line up.Portugal(Supplied)Cristiano Ronaldo starts again up top, as Roberto Martínez continues with his talismanic forward despite a dire performance last time out.In what is a boost for the Al Nasser forward, his teammate in the Saudi Pro League João Félix also comes into the side, with Bernardo Silva dropped.Silva was pretty poor in that first game too, in fairness, but you could count the Portugal players who were good on one hand, if that one hand was missing all its fingers.Portugal also welcomes back centre-back Rúben Dias after he missed the Congo draw through injury.Uzbekistan(Supplied)The White Wolves make three changes from their World Cup opener.Goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov comes back in for Uzbekistan behind a five-man defence.Odiljon Xamrobeko and Azizjon Ganiev both come into the midfield.Eldor Shomurodov is the captain and he will lead the line.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:13amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:13amMorningBy Simon SmaleGood morning football fans! Or is that still good night? It's an early one this morning as we bring you the first of four games as the second round of group stage fixtures come to the close.Once again, two of the big guns are in action today, with Portugal hoping for an improvement on the dire display they put together first time out when they meet World Cup debutants Uzbekistan in Houston, and England looks to roll through to the knockout phases when it takes on Ghana in Boston.Then there's Panama vs Croatia in Toronto and Colombia vs the Democratic Republic of the Congo will bring all of the colour and atmosphere to Guadalajara.Here's the full list of matches coming up for you today:3:00am AEST (2:20am ACST, 1:00am AWST) — Group K: Portugal vs Uzbekistan @ Houston Stadium6:00am AEST (5:30am ACST, 4:00am AWST) — Group L: England vs Ghana @ Boston Stadium9:00am AEST (8:30am ACST, 7:00am AWST) — Group L: Panama vs Croatia @ Toronto Stadium12:00pm AEST (11:30am ACST, 10:00am AWST) — Group K: Colombia vs Congo DR @ Guadalajara StadiumAs ever, thanks for thing with us this morning and all your attentive reading throughout the tournament thus far - I look forward to bringing you another fun day of action today.Email address