Uzbekistan scores controversial goal against Portugal, Cancelo protests

Look, nobody expected Uzbekistan to waltz into Houston Stadium and take down Portugal. But for one brief, glorious moment during their World Cup group-stage clash on June 23, Uzbekistan’s Azizjon G’aniev found the back of the net and gave his country something to celebrate in their first-ever World Cup appearance.

Then VAR happened.

The goal was chalked off after a video review determined that a foul had been committed on Portuguese defender João Cancelo in the buildup. Cancelo himself protested the initial goal, appealing to officials that he had been fouled before the ball crossed the line. The referee agreed, the screen was consulted, and Uzbekistan’s moment of magic evaporated into the Texas humidity.

The VAR debate rages on

The disallowed goal became the match’s most talked-about moment, which says something considering Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice. Portugal’s camp had pushed hard for the review, reportedly citing similar marginal calls that have gone against other top players in recent tournaments, including incidents involving Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo writes another chapter

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 6th minute and added a second in the 39th. Those two goals carried historic weight. Ronaldo became the first player in history to score at six different World Cups.

Portugal’s 5-0 victory was comprehensive in every sense. The match unfolded in Houston, one of the host cities for the expanded 2026 World Cup, which features 48 teams for the first time. That expansion is precisely why Uzbekistan was on this stage in the first place.

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