Ronaldo, Portugal vs. Uzbekistan Odds, Live Stream Schedule, Group Scenarios for World Cup 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal have plenty of work to do to leave the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on top of Group K.

Portugal needs to rebound from a surprising draw against DR Congo with a win over Uzbekistan on Tuesday to be in position to challenge for first place in the group.

Uzbekistan is widely viewed as the worst of the four teams in Group K. It suffered a two-goal defeat at the hands of Colombia on Matchday 1.

The expectation is for Portugal to pile on the goals in Houston on Tuesday, but for things to go as planned, it needs to figure out its attacking issues.

Portugal vs. Uzbekistan Info

Date: Tuesday, June 23

Start Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Live Stream: Fox One or FoxSports.com

Odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook): Portugal (-550; bet $550 to win $100); Uzbekistan (+1400; bet $100 to win $1,400); Draw (+600)

Portugal comes into Matchday 2 with a wealth of issues that it needs to fix, primarily in attack.

Cristiano Ronaldo isn't the solution, like the other megastars have been at the World Cup.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and countless others thrived for their respective countries, but Ronaldo struggled for long stretches of his World Cup opener against DR Congo.

Ronaldo is a true winger, but he starts as a striker for Portugal. He's still talented enough to score goals from that spot, but it's harder for him to get involved in the game.

It also doesn't help that Portugal's supporting cast underwhelmed in the opening match as well.

Portugal created seven shots in 90 minutes. Only one of them reached the target. That was Joao Neves' goal.

The chances have to be more plentiful and of higher quality regardless of which players start alongside Ronaldo.

You could even make a case to sit Ronaldo and play three younger attackers from the start. That would allow Ronaldo to come in and take advantage of a worn-down defense in the final 30 or so minutes.

Portugal is expected to have a majority of the possession and the chances on Tuesday, so the final result will come down to how efficient it can be in the final third.

Uzbekistan defended for most of the 90 minutes in its first-ever World Cup game against Colombia.

The Asian side allowed 15 shots to Luis Diaz and Co. but it also took eight shots, put two on target and scored once.

The most likely chance for Uzbekistan to score will either come off a counterattack, or a set piece. We shouldn't expect too much in open play from Uzbekistan because of the desperation Portugal has to play with.

A Portugal win allows it to play for first place in Group K on Matchday 3 against Colombia.

A draw combined with a Colombia win over DR Congo would mean Portugal could only finish as high as second in Group K. Draws in both games would still allow Portugal to play for first place.

Uzbekistan won't be eliminated with a loss, as long as DR Congo doesn't win against Colombia. It will be incentivized to hold Portugal to a smaller goal total so that it has a chance to advance as a third-place team if it beats DR Congo on Matchday 3.