“Played With Heads Not Hearts” — Martinez Praises Portugal’s 5-0 Response vs Uzbekistan

Roberto Martinez’s Portugal thrashes Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo scores in record 6th World Cup as Portugal thump Uzbekistan 5-0.

Martinez says Ronaldo’s experience, work-rate key as Portugal crush Uzbekistan...

Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 on Tuesday by playing smart instead of emotional, coach Roberto Martinez said. The performance showed the players learned from their disappointing World Cup opener.

Cristiano Ronaldo made history as the first player to score in six World Cups, bagging twice in Portugal’s rout of Uzbekistan. The win also quieted critics after their 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo to start Group K.

“When we scored the goal in the opening match we lost the discipline, the shape,” Martinez said. “We gave the opponent chances ‌to counter and we didn’t make it ⁠to the final third.

“We ‌fought with our heart rather than our head. Today it was the other way around. It was very disciplined.”

Portugal came out fast from the first whistle, moving the ball quickly and creating plenty of chances as the players looked to silence their doubters.

Martinez’s side fired off 17 shots with 8 on target against Uzbekistan. They kept pushing even late on with the game won, and Ronaldo missed a few good chances to complete a hat-trick.

The coach also praised Ronaldo’s scoring, but said what really sets the 41-year-old apart is his experience, work-rate, and willingness to create space for teammates.

“I never worked with a player that no matter what happened today he has an incredible hunger to work the next day,” Martinez said.

Portugal sit on 4 points from 2 games and face Colombia in their final Group K match. Uzbekistan have no points and are on the brink of elimination, with their last outing against D.R. Congo.

Martinez also brushed off Portugal’s slow World Cup start. He said he’s learned that early setbacks build the resilience a team needs to go deep in a long tournament.

“This is my third World Cup,” Martinez said. “In my first one I thought you have to win ⁠every match. I now ⁠realise it is the opposite ‌of that. It is a process.”