Portugal will have to sharpen their attack with one option in Tuesday's match against Uzbekistan.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Portugal dominated possession in their first match of the 2026 World Cup. But Roberto Martinez's side were unable to convert it into a decisive goal. When Portugal face Uzbekistan on Tuesday, the only option left for the team is to step up their attack.
Portugal were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by DR Congo. According to Opta, Portugal played 783 passes against their African opponents. Spain, who play the most passes, repeat this trend with around 800 in a match. Portugal also had 75 percent of the possession.
But Portugal managed only seven shots on goal against Congo, with only one of those shots going into the net. That was a possible goal from Joao Neves' header in the sixth minute. A better performance would be expected from a team featuring world-renowned player Cristiano Ronaldo.
Not only that, Portugal also has many options for attack. But Portugal is not able to create creative opportunities in the opposition's final third and make the right decisions at the right time. Portugal's attack in the first round was the least, of all 48 participating countries. Spain even had more attacks in the goalless draw against Cape Verde, that is, 27.
Portugal will certainly be expected to have more attacks and the ability to make them decisive when facing Uzbekistan, who are making their World Cup debut in Group 'K'. Uzbekistan lost 3-1 to Colombia in their first match. Regarding that match, Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro believes that his players played with more emotion.
He said, 'I think our players played with a lot of fear. That's why our players played more defensively than in attack.'
The players who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 are now feeling the fear of the first match no longer among the Uzbekistan players. Ballon d'Or winner Cannavaro is expecting an improved performance in the second match.
Uzbekistan made it difficult for Colombia in the second half, which is why Cannavaro is confident that his team will not let Portugal get their way. He says, 'As a top team in Asia, our team is really strong. But we need to play a big tournament like the World Cup and expand and mature ourselves.'
The 41-year-old Ronaldo got the opportunity to play the full 90 minutes against Congo. Coach Martinez is also being criticized for this. But he is the main player of his team. Winger Francisco Conescu says, 'Ronaldo still has the hunger for success, so he is a player worthy of setting an example for everyone. He is a role model for the new generation like us.'
