After Portugal’s 5-0 victory, Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro admitted that his side struggled to cope with the intensity and quality of the Portuguese attack.
Cannavaro acknowledged that Cristiano Ronaldo’s early goal changed the momentum of the match, forcing Uzbekistan to chase the game against one of the tournament favourites. He praised Ronaldo’s movement and finishing, describing him as a player who still “punishes every small mistake at this level.”
Despite the heavy defeat, Cannavaro stressed that his team would learn from the experience, especially facing elite opponents in a World Cup environment. However, he made it clear that Portugal’s level — particularly in the attacking third — was a step above what his squad could consistently handle.
