Abdukodir Khusanov cut a dejected figure at the final whistle after Uzbekistan’s World Cup hopes suffered another major setback with a comprehensive defeat to Portugal.
The Manchester City centre-back was visibly emotional following his country’s 5-0 loss in Houston on Tuesday.
The result leaves the tournament newcomers facing an uphill battle to progress beyond the group stage.
Uzbekistan entered the competition with high hopes after qualifying for their first World Cup finals as an independent nation.
However, their campaign has quickly become a difficult one, with consecutive defeats leaving them rooted to the bottom of Group K.
Having already fallen to Colombia in their opening fixture, Fabio Cannavaro’s side needed a positive result against a star-studded Portuguese team.
Instead, they found themselves overwhelmed by one of the tournament favourites.
The latest setback means Uzbekistan remain without a point after two matches and carry a goal difference of minus seven.
Their chances of advancing now depend heavily on results elsewhere, as well as producing a convincing display in their final group game.
Should DR Congo secure victory over Colombia, Cannavaro’s men would no longer be able to qualify automatically for the knockout rounds.
Their only remaining route would be through the ranking of the best third-placed teams, requiring a substantial win in their final match if they are still mathematically alive by then.
The disappointment was evident across the Uzbekistan squad after the final whistle, but none appeared more affected than Khusanov.
The defender, who has become one of his country’s most recognisable footballers, struggled to hide his emotions as players exchanged handshakes on the pitch.
Television cameras captured the 22-year-old wiping tears from his face moments after the match ended.
Among those who approached him was Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, a player who knows Khusanov well from their time together at Manchester City.
Silva, who departed the Etihad Stadium earlier this summer to complete a move to Real Madrid, spent time comforting his former teammate during the emotional scenes.
The pair shared the dressing room at City and featured together on numerous occasions, developing a strong professional relationship during their spell in Manchester.
Portugal’s stars prove too strong
Portugal took control of the contest almost immediately and never allowed Uzbekistan a route back into the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo set the tone inside the opening six minutes, giving the European side an early advantage and sending a statement to the rest of the tournament.
Portugal continued to dominate possession and territory, with Nuno Mendes adding another goal as Uzbekistan struggled to contain the attacking quality of their opponents.
Ronaldo was not finished there. The veteran forward found the net again later in the match, bringing his World Cup tally for Portugal to 10 goals and making him his nation’s highest scorer in the tournament’s history.
The Portuguese attack remained relentless throughout the evening. Uzbekistan’s defensive structure came under constant pressure and mistakes began to appear as fatigue set in.
An own goal from Abduvohid Nematov compounded their misery before Rafael Leao completed the scoring late in the match to seal a resounding 5-0 victory.
Khusanov remains central to Uzbekistan’s future
While the result against Portugal was difficult to endure, Khusanov’s emotional reaction also reflected his commitment to representing his country.
Although still only 22 years old, the defender has already established himself as a key figure within the national team setup and one of Uzbekistan’s brightest talents.
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His senior international debut arrived in June 2023 when he was just 19 years old under former head coach Srecko Katanec.
Since then, he has accumulated valuable experience at international level and become a regular starter for his country.
Khusanov also played an important role during Uzbekistan’s impressive run to the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup two years ago, performances that enhanced his reputation both domestically and abroad.
The centre-back has now earned 29 senior international appearances and continues to be regarded as a cornerstone of the national team’s future plans.
At this World Cup, he has started both of Uzbekistan’s opening matches, carrying significant responsibility against some of the world’s most dangerous attacking players.
The tears seen after the Portugal defeat were a reminder of the passion and expectation that accompany representing a nation at its first World Cup.
