Cannavaro's Uzbekistan face Portugal with everything still to play for

Fazyullaev's goal, then silence, what comes next

Your team scored the country's first ever World Cup goal. Jasur Fazyullaev, the winger, put it past Colombia. That moment was real. The 3–1 loss stung, but fans felt something genuine walking out of the opener, not just pride, but a sense that Uzbekistan belongs here.

France and Senegal both won their matches in Group K. That leaves two slots to fight for, and the next shot is Portugal. They have Cristiano Ronaldo under a glaring spotlight and a press corps circling every misstep. Cannavaro knows this. Your team is not here to make up numbers.

A small detail from camp that tells you everything about Cannavaro: he invited a young fan to training and spent time with him, no cameras needed. The Ballon d'Or winner who captained Italy is hunting his first win as Uzbekistan boss. Friday against Portugal is the next chance to get it.

Khusanov and the Taylor moment

Abdukodir Khusanov did not hide his reaction when he saw Anthony Taylor appointed as referee for the Colombia match. The Manchester City defender's face said what every fan was thinking. Taylor kept a lid on things, no major flashpoints, but the unease was shared across the squad. No confirmation yet on who takes the whistle for Portugal.

The group is still open

Colombia lead Group K. France, Senegal, and Portugal all hover within reach. Your team sits bottom, but one result against Portugal changes the arithmetic. Every point matters in a group this tight. Uzbekistan's debut is not a fairytale, it is a chance to take something tangible.

Fan-reaktioner

COPA90 captured the mood on the ground in Uzbekistan for that first ever World Cup match, and the footage spread across r/soccer with fans from other nations stopping to appreciate what it meant. Watch it here. Meanwhile, a broader post using data from the expanded 48-team tournament argued the smaller nations have not diluted the competition, pushing back against the narrative that teams like Uzbekistan weaken the World Cup.