<\/p>\n
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leaps as he celebrates his goal against Uzbekistan in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal and Uzbekistan players take the pitch before the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal walks onto the pitch before a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) celebrates with forward Pedro Neto after scoring his second goal in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans cheer as the teams take the pitch for the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov (2) fouls Portugal defender Jo\u00e3o Cancelo (20) resulting in a goal being called off in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans cheer in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) scores past Uzbekistan defender Ruslam Ashurmatov (5) in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) kicks the ball past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov (12) for a goal in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
A young Portugal fan cheers as the teams take the pitch for the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
A Portugal fan holds up a sign asking Portugal\u2019s Christiano Ronaldo to \u201cSIUUU\u201d with him at the Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal fans chant while wearing their country\u2019s colors during a Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal fans chant while wearing their country\u2019s colors during a Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal fans chant while wearing their country\u2019s colors during a Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans gather to celebrate their culture and their team at Helix Park in Houston on Monday, June 22, 2026. The team plays Portugal at Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans gather to celebrate their culture and their team at Helix Park in Houston on Monday, June 22, 2026. The team plays Portugal at Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans gather to celebrate their culture and their team at Helix Park in Houston on Monday, June 22, 2026. The team plays Portugal at Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans gather to celebrate their culture and their team at Helix Park in Houston on Monday, June 22, 2026. The team plays Portugal at Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans gather to celebrate their culture and their team at Helix Park in Houston on Monday, June 22, 2026. The team plays Portugal at Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans gather to celebrate their culture and their team at Helix Park in Houston on Monday, June 22, 2026. The team plays Portugal at Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Malvulda Oripova, second from left, poses with her family with other Uzbekistan fans at Helix Park in Houston on Monday, June 22, 2026. The team plays Portugal at Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Musician play along with Uzbekistan fans chants during the team\u2019s fan fesitval at Helix Park in Houston on Monday, June 22, 2026. The team plays Portugal at Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans gather to celebrate their culture and their team at Helix Park in Houston on Monday, June 22, 2026. The team plays Portugal at Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
A dad and son both wearing Portugal\u2019s Christiano Ronaldo\u2019s jerseys watch as Portugal fans chant while participating in the Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal fans get sprayed by water from the Houston Fire Department during the Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
A Portugal fan is covered in sweat as he participates in the Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
A Portugal fan wears their country\u2019s colors on his face during the Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Team Uzbekistan fans walk to FIFA\u2019s Houston Satdium to watch their team take on Portugal at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Team Uzbekistan fans walk to FIFA\u2019s Houston Satdium to watch their team take on Portugal at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal defender Nuno Mendes (25) reacts toward defender Jo\u00e3o Cancelo (20) after scoring a goal in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal defender Nuno Mendes (25) reacts toward midfielder Vitinha (23) after scoring a goal in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Team Uzbekistan fans walk to FIFA\u2019s Houston Satdium to watch their team take on Portugal at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
An Uzbekistan fans gets his face painted before walking to FIFA\u2019s Houston Satdium to watch their team take on Portugal at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
A Portugal fan carries a cardboard cutout of Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo before a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal fans toward toward Houston Stadium wearing Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys before a Group K soccer match against Uzbekistan during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts after scoring a goal in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
A young Portugal fan walks toward Houston Stadium before a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Fans walks toward Houston Stadium before a Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan and Portugal fans cheer as the teams take the pitch for the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Uzbekistan fans cheer as the teams take the pitch for the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Portugal fans cheer in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cristiano Ronaldo did not score during Portugal’s first Houston match<\/a>, which ended in a draw. Uzbekistan is also looking for its first win of the World Cup Tuesday at Houston Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n The day begins with fan walks for both teams<\/a> from the Texas Medical Center to the stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n Follow along for live updates, highlights and fan reactions as Houston hosts its fourth World Cup match.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n As Portugal comes out of halftime with a 3-0 lead over\u00a0Uzbekistan, popular streamer <\/a>IShowSpeed<\/a>\u2019s reaction made waves across the internet.<\/p>\n Two of the three goals were scored by the streamer\u2019s favorite player, soccer star\u00a0Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/p>\n Speed was seen reacting with excitement and tears as he cheered for\u00a0Ronaldo. Earlier Tuesday morning, Speed told fans outside Houston Stadium that he predicted the soccer star would score three goals, giving him a hat trick.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts after scoring a goal in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n The Houston crowd is watching a different Portugal team this afternoon. There’s more bite in the attack and Ronaldo is playing with better energy in the striker role.<\/p>\n It’s not even that Ronaldo is touching the ball more often than he did in the first match. His first-half touches are actually lower Tuesday than last Wednesday, but he is getting the ball in better positions and doing better when he gets it.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n A Uzbekistan fan cheers during the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n Ronaldo now has 10 World Cup goals in his career, the most of any Portuguese player in history.<\/p>\n Despite scoring at six different World Cups, more than any other player, his brace Tuesday marks only the second time he has scored more than once in a World Cup match.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts after scoring a goal in the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n He previously scored a hat trick against Spain in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n Portugal runs a beautiful counterattack against an Uzbekistan defense caught out of shape at the back. Bruno Fernandes plays Ronaldo through and the 41-year-old forward slides it towards the far post for his second goal of the match.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Ronaldo breathes a sigh of relief after the goal, which brings the score to 3-0.\u00a0<\/p>\n An absolute wonder strike sends Uzbekistan fans into a frenzy, but the goal is disallowed after video review.<\/p>\n Aziz Ganiev’s strike\u00a0from outside the box was clean but Abbosbek Fayzullaev was called for a foul in the buildup to the goal, leading to it being overturned.<\/p>\n Nuno Mendes makes it two and Portugal is rolling in Houston.<\/p>\n With a free kick right outside the box, both Mendes and Ronaldo line up to take it. While the whole world is expecting Ronaldo to take the shot, it is instead Mendes who runs up and takes it, catching Uzbekistan off guard. Goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov dives too late.<\/p>\n It’s a totally different Ronaldo on the field today.<\/p>\n Portugal fans cheer as the teams take the pitch for the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth-minute goal marks his ninth goal in a World Cup, tying the Portuguese record.<\/p>\n He is now tied with the legendary forward Eus\u00e9bio as the all-time Portuguese leader in World Cup goals. Eus\u00e9bio scored all nine of his goals during the 1996 FIFA World Cup in England.<\/p>\n Ronaldo has also now scored a goal at six World Cups, setting a new record. Lionel Messi has only scored in five.<\/p>\n Most FIFA World Cups scored in by a player – 6 by Cristiano Ronaldo<\/p>\n Suiiiiii \ud83d\udc10<\/p>\n \u2014 Guinness World Records (@GWR) June 23, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n After whiffing on a shot a few minutes earlier,\u00a0Cristiano Ronaldo has his first goal of the World Cup.<\/p>\n He finishes off a cross from the right side past a dicing keeper and excitedly runs over to celebrate with his teammates. He then excites the crowd with his patented Sui celebration.<\/p>\n The goal also marks the fourth straight game in Houston where a team has scored within the first seven minutes of the match.<\/p>\n It looks like it will be a third straight sellout in Houston, as almost every seat in the stadium appears to be occupied. The crowd is mostly Portuguese red, but there is a significant number of people in white supporting the White Wolves of Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n Both fan sections are leading their own cheers at the start of the game, with the Uzbekistan section led by the rhythmic drum.<\/p>\n Uzbekistan has made a change in net from its 3-1 loss to Colombia. In comes 25-year-old Abduvohid Nematov and out goes 35-year-old Utkir Yusupov. Yusupov started every World Cup qualification match for Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n Defense will be key for the White Wolves, who will likely spend much of the day on defense. Abdukodir Khusanov will likely be focused on keeping Ronaldo in check, much like DR Congo did the other day.<\/p>\n Khusanov, who plays for Manchester City, is the first player from Uzbekistan to play in the English Premier League<\/p>\n Uzbekistan’s small but loud contingent of fans raised a rousing cheer as their team took the field for warm-ups, but they were soon drowned out by tens of thousands of Portugal fans cheering Ronaldo and company onto the pitch about an hour before kickoff.<\/p>\n In years past, seeing Ronaldo’s name on Portugal’s starting lineup might have struck fear into the hearts of opposing fans. But this year, the 41-year-old’s inclusion gives them a reason for hope.<\/p>\n Team Uzbekistan fans walk to FIFA\u2019s Houston Satdium to watch their team take on Portugal at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n They saw how difficult it was for Ronaldo to make an impact against Congo last week\u00a0and believe his individual efforts today could detract from the team’s overall performance.<\/p>\n “If Ronaldo plays, we’re going to win it,” said Khudoyor Ortikov, president of the Uzbek American Society of Houston, with a laugh.<\/p>\n Cristiano Ronaldo captains the Portuguese side for the second straight match in Houston as Roberto Martinez makes two changes to the Portugal Starting XI.<\/p>\n R\u00faben Dias, the team’s best central defender, enters the lineup after returning from injury in one of the centerback roles. That was an expected change.<\/p>\n The other change is the inclusion of Jo\u00e3o F\u00e9lix in the attack as Bernardo Silva is dropped after a lackluster 45 minutes. Silva, one of the most experienced players on the squad, started on the right wing last week versus DR Congo.<\/p>\n A boy holds a figurine of Portugal\u2019s Christiano Ronaldo and a FIFA World Cup trophy during a Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n Abdulla Oripov, the national poet of Uzbekistan and lyricist of the country\u2019s national anthem, lived in a northwest Houston<\/a> home while receiving cancer treatment about a decade ago. He worked on many of his final poems in these rooms.<\/p>\n Oripov\u2019s family on Sunday welcomed people in the two-room in-home museum dedicated to the poet. One room features photographs from his travels, drafts of his work and numerous other artifacts. The other room looks like it did when Oripov and his wife, Khanifa Mustafaeva, stayed there.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what he’s always dreamt about, seeing his country on the world stage being recognized by everybody,\u201d\u00a0Mustafaeva said through her daughter Mavluda Oripova.<\/p>\n Portugal fans chant while wearing their country\u2019s colors during a Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n Between 1,500 and 2,000 people joined the Portugal fan walk and around 2,300 were there for\u00a0Uzbekistan, according to estimates from the Houston Police Department.<\/p>\n The Uzbek marchers made their way through the gates to Houston\u00a0Stadium just before 10 a.m., roughly an hour after setting out from the Texas Medical Center.<\/p>\n Many crowded around a water station near the entrance to rehydrate after a mile-long walk in the scorching heat. About 50 feet away, Houston firefighters sprayed water down from a ladder hoisted above the crowd, offering some refreshing mist to those who needed it.<\/p>\n \u201cThat feels good!\u201d shouted one\u00a0Uzbek fan as he ran through the spray.<\/p>\n Emerging with a drenched\u00a0t-shirt, though, he came to a sobering realization.<\/p>\n \u201cThe stadium is closed, right?\u201d he asked. \u201cOh, it\u2019s going to be cold. But time to support\u00a0Uzbekistan!\u201d<\/p>\n The Portugal fan walk, which had gained fans during the walk down Fannin St., turned into NRG Park just after 10:10 a.m. The group had been walking for about 30 minutes and less than a mile when they entered the parking lot.<\/p>\n Portugal fans chant while wearing their country\u2019s colors during a Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n –Sam Kelly<\/a>, Kathleen\u00a0Ortiz<\/a><\/p>\n Lionel\u00a0Messi<\/a> broke the World Cup record for most goals in a career in Monday\u2019s match versus Austria in Arlington. His record-breaking 17th goal in the first half shattered the mark held by Germany\u2019s Miroslav Klose and his 18th goal in the second half extended his margin.<\/p>\n Cristiano Ronaldo is much further down the World Cup record list with just eight goals in six World Cups.<\/p>\n Ronaldo will look to add to that total Tuesday against Uzbekistan after going scoreless in last week\u2019s 1-1 draw with DR Congo.<\/p>\n Ronaldo has scored the most international goals across all competitions of any player in history with Messi in second.<\/p>\n Chants rang out as fans pounded their drums and\u00a0 Portugal Prime Minister Lu\u00eds Montenegro walked across the starting line for the Portugal fan walk.<\/p>\n Montenegro greeted fans as they prepared for their mile-long walk to Houston Stadium, wearing Portugal scarves and carrying homemade signs and Portugal flags as they walked.<\/p>\n Los Angeles native\u00a0Gustavo Morfin said he had just arrived in Houston from the West Coast to watch Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/p>\n Morfin said he looks forward to attending the FIFA Fan Festival and visiting Pitch 25, a Houston sports bar.<\/p>\n Morfin was not the only fan excited about the walk and the game.<\/p>\n Portugal fans cheer as the teams take the pitch for the first half of a Group K soccer match during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n \u00a0Prithvi Badiga, an Arizona resident, arrived in Houston to support Ronaldo and said he has been a fan of the player for 25 years.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m back for\u00a0Ronaldo. I\u2019ve been here since June 21,\u201d said Lillian Li, another Portugal fan. \u201cYesterday I went to the InterContinental hotel to wait for the Portugal bus to come. There were a lot of people there, and I was there for about five hours and got to catch Ronaldo.\u201d<\/p>\n Li said that after the game, she plans to visit NASA before heading back home to Los Angeles.<\/p>\n Joseph\u00a0Farias and Erik Diaz also said Ronaldo is their favorite player, and they were excited to see him play.<\/p>\n Diaz, who is visiting from El Paso, said the soccer star was his idol, but he was sad because this would be his last World Cup.<\/p>\n – Kathleen\u00a0Ortiz<\/a>, Ralph Green<\/a><\/p>\n The\u00a0Uzbek fanwalk raised their voices as they approached NRG Stadium, making sure Portugal fans on the sidewalk heard them loud and clear.<\/p>\n \u201cUzbekistan! Uzbekistan,\u201d they chanted.\u00a0<\/p>\n One group of fans in Cristiano Ronaldo playfully jeered them from the sidewalk, and the Uzbek fans returned the boos with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a jersey for you!\u201d one of the Uzbek fans shouted.\u00a0<\/p>\n The irony, said one Uzbek fan, was that the crowd was secretly thrilled to see Ronaldo.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cLowkey, 50% of the people here are here to see Ronaldo too,\u201d said the fan, Ali Kush, who had traveled here from New York for the game.<\/p>\n Portugal fans chant as the Prime Minister of Portugal Lu\u00eds Montenegro participates in the Portugal Fanwalk near Houston Stadium in Houston, June 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n Portugal Prime Minister Lu\u00eds Montenegro <\/a>is in Houston for the national team\u2019s match.<\/p>\n Montenegro started his time as prime minister in April 2024. He is also the leader of the Social Democratic Party in the country.<\/p>\n Before the start of the tournament, Montenegro gifted each member of the national team a wristband bearing the name of\u00a0Diogo Joto, the Portuguese forward who was set to be a key member of the team but died in a car crash last year at 28.<\/p>\n \u201cHe let us choose if we wanted to use it or not, during the day or during the match,”\u00a0Vitinha said earlier in the month about the wristbands, per CNN<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0We received it with a lot of affection and we chose to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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