Portugal's Nuno Mendes has been praised for his 'brilliant' second goal in the team's 3-1 win against Uzbekistan in their Group K match during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The 21-year-old left-back's clever combination with Cristiano Ronaldo left the entire stadium stunned.
Mendes and Ronaldo tricked the Uzbekistan defence, with the latter laying the ball off to Mendes, who then slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. This goal showcased the team's cohesion and skill ahead of the World Cup.
The match was played at the Doha Stadium in Qatar, where Portugal's manager, Fernando Santos, had a lot to say about the team's performance. 'We knew it wouldn't be an easy game, but we've shown our quality and determination,' he said.
Mendes's goal has sparked hope among Portuguese fans, who are eagerly awaiting the team's progress in the World Cup. With this win, Portugal has taken the lead in their group, and they will face Switzerland next in their Group K match.
Portugal's next match is scheduled to take place on 12 June 2026 at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar. Fans are eagerly anticipating the team's performance, hoping to see more of Mendes's skills on the pitch.