RONALDO BRACE FIRES PORTUGAL TO 5-0 WIN OVER UZBEKISTAN
By Canaan Siame
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal put on their best performance of the tournament, beating Uzbekistan 5-0 in their Group K clash at Houston Stadium today to move to the brink of the knockout rounds.
Portugal made a perfect start when Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 6th minute, finishing clinically after a cross from Joao Cancelo. Nuno Mendes added a second in the 17th minute before Ronaldo completed his brace in the 39th minute to give Portugal a commanding 3-0 lead at half-time.
Uzbekistan’s misery continued in the second half when Abduvohid Nematov turned the ball into his own net in the 60th minute to make it four. Rafael Leao came off the bench to round off the scoring in the 87th minute, completing a dominant display from Roberto Martinez’s side.
The result moves Portugal to the brink of qualification for the Round of 32, with the win coming after a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opener. For Uzbekistan making their World Cup debut a 5-0 defeat follows their opening 3-1 loss to Colombia, leaving them without a point and facing elimination.
Group K now comes down to a fascinating final round of fixtures, with Portugal all but through and DR Congo and Colombia fighting for the remaining spot.
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