With a trip to Texas on the horizon, the pressure is on the European heavyweights to deliver a victory and secure their path to the knockout stages. The squad are well aware that their performance against DR Congo fell below the standards expected of a team boasting the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
Full-back Joao Cancelo echoed these sentiments, demanding an immediate improvement in the final third. “We didn’t create chances, and that isn’t normal in a team like ours. We have high-quality players, among the best in the world, and we have to show that on the pitch. Tomorrow, only winning counts. We don’t have any margin for error,” Cancelo warned.
Portugal burst out of the blocks against Uzbekistan, with Nuno Mendes crashing home a free-kick in the 17th minute. Ronaldo added his second of the game six minutes before half-time – with that clinical finish taking him to 10 in total at World Cup tournaments and above inconic countryman Eusebio.
