Uzbekistan to face Portugal today

A second-round Group K match involving Portugal and Uzbekistan will take place in the United States today, June 23.

This match is very important for both teams. Portugal, regarded as the group favorite, drew with DR Congo in the first round. Uzbekistan, making its World Cup debut this year, lost to Colombia in its opening match.

Ahead of the second-round matches, all four teams in the group still retain a chance of reaching the next stage.

Under the new rules, eight national teams that finish third in their groups with the best results will also be able to continue their fight for the World Cup title.

The group Uzbekistan is in has been described by many football experts as a “group of death,” or one of the most difficult groups.

Uzbekistan showed resilience in its first match against Colombia and managed to score its first-ever goal at the World Cup in its debut match. Abbosbek Fayzullayev scored the goal.

For reference, the Portugal-Uzbekistan match will start today, June 23, at 10:00 p.m. Tashkent time. The match will be officiated by Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed.

Earlier, Uzbekistan national team captain Eldor Shomurodov said ahead of the second-round World Cup group stage match against Portugal that the team does not feel pressure and will take the field aiming for a good result.