Nick RalstonUpdated June 24, 2026 — 4:35am,first published 4:26am4.35amGOAL! Portugal make it fourBy Ronaldo goes close to getting his hat trick but is denied by a Abduvohid Nematov save, the keeper also catching the veteran Portuguese striker in the process. Ronaldo makes a claim for a penalty, but Nematov touched the ball first. Instead, it is a corner, which Bruno Fernandes whips in low, when it is flicked on by Joao Flelix, followed by a bit of a scrap that ends when Nematov seems to knock it into the back of his own net.Portugal 4 - Uzbekistan 0, 60th minute.4.26amInfantino says Trump will be involved in World Cup finalBy FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed plans to include US President Donald Trump in the trophy presentation ceremonies at the World Cup Final.“We will be together with the president, enjoying the final, and handing the trophy to the winner -- of course, together,” Infantino said on an interview with US news talk show Fox and Friends.Asked to clarify that he and Trump would present the trophy together at the match on July 20 (AEST) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Infantino added: “Of course. We are together all the time.”Trump notably participated in the ceremony at last year’s Club World Cup final when Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 at the same venue.He remained on stage as Chelsea lifted the trophy. Later, the trophy was spotted in the Oval Office, with Chelsea reportedly having received a replica version.4.20amRonald with first half double puts Portugal in controlBy Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to criticism of his performance in Portugal’s first match, scoring twice as his side took a 3-0 lead over Uzbekistan in the opening half of their Group K match in Houston.Ronaldo scored the opening goal after six minutes when he put a Joao Cancelo cross in at the near post to give Portugal the lead. Portugal had a second 11 minutes later when a Nuno Mendes free kick bent into the bottom right corner. And the game was practically over in the 39th minute when Ronaldo got his second after Bruno Fernandes fed him a ball through to the right, which he pushed past Uzbekistan’s keeperIt is Ronaldo’s second World Cup brace, and he went close to making it three in 45 minutes when he had a shot cleared off the line right on half-time. Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side’s third goal.AP Photo/Ashley LandisPortugal 3 - Uzbekistan 0, halftime4.10amWelcome to today’s live World Cup coveargeBy Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 2026 World Cup.Today sees the final matches in the second round of the group stages - with Portugal versus Uzbekistan already underway in Houston in a Group K. Portugal is leading 3-0, thanks to a first-half brace from Cristiano Ronaldo.At 6am (AEST), England will look to top Group L when they play Ghana in Boston, while first-up losers in that group, Panama and Croatia, play at 9am. Then it is the second Group K clash between Colombia and Congo DR starting at 12pm. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Cancelo after scoring his side’s third goal.AP Photo/Karen Warren1 of 1