Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal return to the World Cup schedule Tuesday in Houston, trying to move on from a disappointing 1-1 draw against Congo in their opener.
Ronaldo, Portugal's 41-year-old star, arrived in North America with another chance to add to his World Cup scoring history. Instead, he left the first match frustrated after missing a couple of promising second-half chances against a Congo team playing in its first World Cup in 52 years.
Portugal now faces Uzbekistan at 1 p.m. EDT, with the match airing on Fox, Telemundo and Peacock. One of the pre-tournament favorites, Portugal needs a win to keep pace in Group K after Colombia opened with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan and Congo took a point from its draw.
“We are playing a World Cup so of course we have a lot of noise and tension but it’s part of the game,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. “The focus is on the team and we want to show a positive attitude. We are very much focused. We are strong. The team is even more united than before.”
Colombia and Congo meet later Tuesday in Guadalajara, Mexico, with Colombia able to move closer to the round of 32. Luis Diaz had a goal and an assist in Colombia's opening win, while Congo Yoane Wissa scored with a header in stoppage time before halftime against Portugal.
England also plays Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, after Harry Kane scored twice in a 4-2 win over Croatia. Kane has 10 World Cup goals, matching Gary Lineker English, and England can reach the knockout stage for the third straight World Cup with a win.
Ghana opened with a 1-0 win over Panama on Brandon Thomas-Asante's goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. Panama and Croatia meet Tuesday in Toronto after both lost their openers.