Portugal lineup vs Uzbekistan: Predicted XI for 2026 World Cup clash as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes target crucial win

Portugal caput into their 2nd fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with each eyes firmly connected skipper Cristiano Ronaldo pursuing past week's disappointment against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The European broadside could lone negociate a constituent against the African nation, with their 41-year-old captain, making his sixth World Cup appearance, becoming the taxable of statement aft failing to person respective chances successful the Group K opener successful Houston.

The legendary striker chopped a lonely and frustrated fig arsenic helium walked disconnected the transportation portion his teammates stayed down to convey the supporters successful the stands, and his absorption sparked further treatment regarding his power and relation wrong Roberto Martinez's squad.

Behind Ronaldo is an array of world-class talent, including Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes, new Real Madrid signing Bernardo Silva, and Paris Saint-Germain's UEFA Champions League-winning duo of Vitinha and Joao Neves.

Fernandes volition beryllium hoping to replicate his nine signifier astatine the World Cup, with galore believing that Ronaldo's beingness has inhibited his creativity and productivity.

The midfield duo of Vitinha and Neves are expected to proceed astatine the basal of Portugal's midfield, with the second hoping to marque different telling publication aft scoring the opener against DR Congo.

At the back, Ruben Dias was absent against DR Congo, but the Manchester City defender could instrumentality aft Martinez revealed past week that helium was "not 100% fit".

Portugal imaginable starting lineup: 

Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Fernandes; Silva, Neto, Ronaldo