Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal rout Uzbekistan and Ghana hold England to goalless draw

Portugal answered early doubts about Cristiano Ronaldo with a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on June 23, 2026, as the 41-year-old forward struck in the sixth and 39th minutes. Nuno Mendes also scored, Uzbekistan conceded an own goal, and Rafael Leão added a late finish in a performance analysts said was sharper and more direct than Portugal’s opening outing.

Coach Germaine Thomas, a Jamaica Football Federation coaching educator and assistant with the national under-20 side, said swapping Bernardo Silva for João Félix gave Portugal more pace on the left and allowed Bruno Fernandes to operate higher. Brent Sancho, the former Trinidad and Tobago World Cup player and ex-sport minister, agreed Ronaldo’s movement improved and that Portugal’s supporting cast performed far better.

Ronaldo’s brace lifted his career World Cup tally to 10 goals from 24 matches. Before the match, the tournament had reached 140 goals, with 28 scored by substitutes; Croatia’s winner against Panama was the milestone strike.

England could not break down Ghana in a 0-0 draw at Foxboro’s Boston Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The English had 19 shots to Ghana’s two and controlled 78% of possession, yet managed only three efforts on target. Thomas said Ghana sat in a compact low block with five across the back, used a double pivot, and limited service to Harry Kane. Sancho praised Ghana’s tenacity and application, while both guests questioned Thomas Tuchel’s selections and timing of changes.

Croatia edged Panama 1-0 through Ante Budar’s 54th-minute goal from a well-worked move, keeping alive hopes of advancing from the group.

Panelists also discussed FIFA’s special World Cup sleeve badges honouring past achievements, including legacy patches for players appearing in five tournaments. Memo Ochoa was not awarded one despite six World Cup squads because he did not play in his first two, a ruling Thomas said was fair on playing-time grounds though others argued the Mexican goalkeeper deserved recognition.