Portugal led Uzbekistan 3-0 at half-time in their FIFA World Cup 2026 group fixture, with Cristiano Ronaldo stealing the headlines — but Gary Neville believes the real story lies further back on the pitch.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 6th minute, tucking away a close-range finish to become the first player in history to score in six different World Cups. The 41-year-old added a second before the break, silencing those who had questioned whether he could still perform on the biggest stage.

Neville's half-time verdict

Speaking in the ITV studio at the interval, Neville credited Portugal's full-backs for laying the foundation behind Ronaldo's double. He noted that concerns had existed before kick-off about whether wide forwards Félix and Neto were well-suited to supplying the kind of crosses Ronaldo demands.

Those concerns, Neville argued, were answered by João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes. "Mendes and Cancelo have both delivered in that first part of the game," Neville said. "And yes, the man turned up."

"This first one comes from the underlap. Full-backs don't just overlap anymore, they go on the inside. But this time, it's a more simple movement by the full-back. The right-back, Cancelo, just supports from behind. He waits, he lets Neto do his stuff, and then he joins in. He just takes a couple of touches and swings it round. Just classic."

Cancelo's assist set Portugal on their way early, and it was Mendes who doubled the lead with a free-kick — coming despite Ronaldo appearing ready to take the set-piece himself.

More than a one-man team

Neville's analysis underlines that manager Roberto Martinez has built a Portugal side capable of functioning as a cohesive unit rather than relying entirely on their talismanic forward. Ronaldo's goals will be central to Portugal's ambitions at the FIFA World Cup 2026, but as this first half demonstrated, those around him must also deliver for the campaign to go the distance.