Live: Ronaldo returns as Portugal meets Uzbekistan, England faces Ghana

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the field in Houston as Portugal takes on Uzbekistan after a disappointing FIFA World Cup opener.

Later, England meets Ghana in Boston, before fellow Group L teams Panama and Croatia face off in Toronto.

The final game of the day pits Colombia against DR Congo in Guadalajara.

Follow all the action in our live blog.

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Portugal vs Uzbekistan

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Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:23am

Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:23am

Team news: Portugal vs Uzbekistan

Here's how the two teams line up.

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo starts again up top, as Roberto Martínez continues with his talismanic forward despite a dire performance last time out.

In what is a boost for the Al Nasser forward, his teammate in the Saudi Pro League João Félix also comes into the side, with Bernardo Silva dropped.

Silva was pretty poor in that first game too, in fairness, but you could count the Portugal players who were good on one hand, if that one hand was missing all its fingers.

Portugal also welcomes back centre-back Rúben Dias after he missed the Congo draw through injury.

Uzbekistan

The White Wolves make three changes from their World Cup opener.

Goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov comes back in for Uzbekistan behind a five-man defence.

Odiljon Xamrobeko and Azizjon Ganiev both come into the midfield.

Eldor Shomurodov is the captain and he will lead the line.

Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:13am

Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 2:13am

Morning

By Simon Smale

Good morning football fans! Or is that still good night? It's an early one this morning as we bring you the first of four games as the second round of group stage fixtures come to the close.

Once again, two of the big guns are in action today, with Portugal hoping for an improve on the dire display they put together first time out when they meet World Cup debutants Uzbekistan in Houston, and England looks to roll through to the knock out phases when it takes on Ghana in Boston.

Then there's Panama vs Croatia in Toronto and Colombia vs the Democratic Republic of the Congo will bring all of the colour and atmosphere to Guadalajara.

Here's the full list of matches coming up for you today:

3:00am AEST (2:20am ACST, 1:00am AWST) — Group K: Portugal vs Uzbekistan @ Houston Stadium

6:00am AEST (5:30am ACST, 4:00am AWST) — Group L: England vs Ghana @ Boston Stadium

9:00am AEST (8:30am ACST, 7:00am AWST) — Group L: Panama vs Croatia @ Toronto Stadium

12:00pm AEST (11:30am ACST, 10:00am AWST) — Group K: Colombia vs Congo DR @ Guadalajara Stadium

As ever, thanks for thing with us this morning and all your attentive reading throughout the tournament thus far - I look forward to bringing you another fun day of action today.

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