Nuno Mendes picked a pretty good moment to find the net on the world’s biggest stage. The Paris Saint-Germain left-back rifled in a free-kick against Uzbekistan on June 23, putting Portugal up 2-0 in their Group K clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It was Mendes’ first-ever World Cup goal, and only the second time he’s scored for Portugal at senior level.
Ronaldo’s dummy, Mendes’ finish
The goal itself had a dash of theater to it. Cristiano Ronaldo, standing over the free-kick in classic fashion, played an unselfish dummy that allowed Mendes to step up and do the rest.
A defender who keeps showing up in big moments
