Portugal Shifts to Attacking Formation Against Uzbekistan in 2026 World Cup

Portugal faced Uzbekistan on 23 June 2026 in their second Group K match of the World Cup, with coach Roberto Martínez implementing tactical changes following a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opener. The Portuguese side adopted a more offensive approach, with João Félix starting as part of a three-man attacking unit alongside Pedro Neto and Cristiano Ronaldo, replacing Bernardo Silva on the bench.

Defensive reinforcements included the return of Manchester City centre-back Rúben Dias, who recovered from injury to restore experience and stability to Portugal's backline. Left-back Nuno Mendes was managed cautiously and started on the bench, with João Cancelo moving to the left flank. The right-back position saw flexibility in selection, with options including Dalot or Semedo to provide width in attack.

Bernardo Silva, Real Madrid's new signing, was benched as part of Martínez's strategic decision to prioritise offensive creativity through João Félix's ball-linking abilities with Cristiano Ronaldo, addressing perceived deficiencies in midfield play during Portugal's opener. The match took place at NRG Stadium in Houston, with the squad also featuring Diogo Costa in goal, Vitinha, João Neves, and Bruno Fernandes in midfield. The tactical adjustment reflected Martínez's response to external pressure and the need for a convincing performance to maintain the team's World Cup campaign momentum.