Dugout Discussion
23 June 2026 122 comments
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The second wave of World Cup group matches – Round 2 in Fantasy terms – concludes this evening with four more fixtures.

We begin with Portugal v Uzbekistan, which kicks off at 18:00 BST.

Roberto Martinez’s side are sitting in third after a disappointing Round 1 draw with DR Congo, so won’t be mathematically assured of progress to the knockout rounds even with a win tonight.

Uzbekistan are point-less after their World Cup debut defeat to Colombia, meanwhile. A loss to Portugal won’t end their tournament unless DR Congo beat Colombia in the later Group K game.

TEAM NEWS

Martínez makes two changes to his starting XI, both involving Manchester City players (only just).

Ruben Dias ($5.0m), who wasn’t fit in Round 1, comes in for Tomas Araujo ($4.1m) at centre-half.

In midfield, Bernardo Silva ($7.8m), who will leave City to join Real Madrid in July, drops down to the bench. Joao Felix ($6.5m) replaces him.

Despite criticism of his performances from the terraces, the media and beyond, Cristiano Ronaldo ($10.0m) keeps his place up top.

Uzbekistan’s head coach, Fabio Cannavaro, makes three alterations, meanwhile.

There’s a change between the sticks as Abduvokhid Nematov ($4.0m) ousts Utkir Yusupov ($3.9m).

Odiljon Khamrobekov ($5.3m) and Aziz G’aniev ($5.3m) also come into the side for Akmal Mozgovoy ($4.7m) and Oston Urunov ($5.6m).

Here are the most-owned players in tonight’s fixture:

LINE-UPS

Portugal XI: Costa, Mendes, Veiga, Dias, Cancelo, Vitinha, Neves, Felix, Fernandes, Neto, Ronaldo.

Subs: Sá, Rui Silva, Semedo, Araújo, Dalot, Inácio, Samú Costa, Nunes, Bernardo Silva, Neves, Ramos, Trincão, Leão, Guedes, Conceição

Uzbekistan XI: Nematov, Ashurmatov, Abdullaev, Khusanov, Nasrullaev, Shukurov, Khamrobekov, Karimov, G’aniev, Fayzullaev, Shomurodov.

Subs: Yusupov, Ergashev, Alijonov, Sayfiev, Eshmurodov, Ulmasaliyev, Urozov, Mozgovoy, Iskanderov, Jiyanov, Urunov, Khamdamov, Esanov, Amanov, Sergeev.


122 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    137 goals so far…average of three per game…highest for this number of games at this stage…

    1. tutankamun
      • 17 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      To be expected with the expansion of the 1st round and lower quality of some teams.

    2. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      A bit unusual. Didn't expect this amount of goals. Good for the gambling troop.

  2. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    Fcking lol... Neto won't get scout points now, would've got it if not subbed before 60pts. Oh well.

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      You were in my thoughts the moment Martinez subbed him off. Happy he did though since I held off the move to get him in

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        Was so pleased with myself when he got that adisst, thinking he will surely outscore Bruno now with those extra points. Guess not. But replacing Bruno with Neto allowed me to bring in Vini, Messi, Mbappe and Kane.

        1. PartyTime
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Well played. That was my first WC draft but I rejiggered the team & got 5 bellends so far.

  3. tutankamun
    • 17 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    Canceloff

  4. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    How does this WC look:

    Martinez - Fofana
    Cucurella - Dumfries - Hakimi - Freemen - Dest
    Olise - Araujo - Summerville - Saibari - Nmecha
    Messi - Mbappe - Gakpo

    Any obvious poor picks?

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      7.3/10. Double USA defence is excess. Not sure Martinez is a safe nailed pick because of the expected rotation. You really think Messi starts vs Jordan? I'm doubtful.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        Martinez to Bounou?

        Double US defence for the giggles

        Yep, reckon Messi starts cause this golden boot thing gonna be big…

        1. PartyTime
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Martinez to Bounou looks good but one needs the Argentine defence cover.
          Having Bounou also means double Morocco defence. I will double up on a team I'm sure will keep a CS.

          Think it's Argentina, Cabo verde, England & Morocco this round. Depends on your type of fun with USA assets but maybe Freeman to Medina is a good move.

          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Sounds good, many thanks will follow advice…not taking it too serious anyhow

            1. PartyTime
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              My pleasure. Just hope I don't screw the wildcard up for you 😆

              1. Jafooli
                • 14 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                Nah, no chance I’ll care if it goes pear shaped, which it probably will lol…

            2. PartyTime
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              I'm honestly considering a -21 this round since there's nothing to be won in this game

              1. Jafooli
                • 14 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                Already played WC?

                1. PartyTime
                  • 5 Years
                  1 month, 18 days ago

                  Yes

  5. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    CR down, clever FK tbh

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Yeah, had me again…like the first one…

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        Guess you can say, they Jafooled you?

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Sure did…

  6. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    Bruno pass for FK was epic…

  7. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    Uzbekistan might have the worst GKer?

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Masuaku & Wissa lurking

  8. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    Ronnie hatty?

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      O.G by at least one Uzbekistan player

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        Yep, Peter Ustinov…

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Gonna claim it, for sure…probs OG?

  9. tuturututu
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    Bruno asist for that OG?

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      No assist, atm

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Bruno to Felix to Khusanov to GK. At least not a Bruno assist.

  10. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    England team sheet out yet?

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Guehi and Spence in for NOR and Stones. Same team otherwise it seems

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        Seems fair…thanks

    2. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Ghana gonna be shambolic at defending set pieces. In Rice we trust!

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        3-0 minimum?

        1. PartyTime
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          England 3-1 Ghana, I reckon

    3. tutankamun
      • 17 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Byby O’Reilly

  11. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    Kane watching the Golden Boot contenders
    "Here hold my Das Boot German glass boot yard of ale "

  12. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    5-0

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Neat strike…

    2. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Anyone got assist?

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        Maybe Semedo

  13. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    England
    Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Djed Spence, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane

    Ghana
    Benjamin Asare, Marvin Senaya, Jonas Adjetey, Jerome Opoku, Gideon Mensah, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Caleb Yirenkyi, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Iñaki Williams

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      1s time all wc someone in my team not starting.. o reilly

    2. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      England subs: Ivan Toney, James Trafford, Jordan Henderson, Nico O'Reilly, John Stones, Dean Henderson, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Trevoh Chalobah, Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford.

      Ghana subs: Bonsu Baah, Thomas-Asante, Boakye, Owusu, Oppong, Ati Zigi, Anang, Luckassen, Adu, Sulemana, Seidu, Fatawu, Mumin, Nuamah, Baba

    3. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 18 days ago

      I wonder if Tuchel will recieve the same flak for playing a right-footed leftback...

      I must admit I am surprised he didn't bring Hall or Shaw. But Tuchel knows best.

  14. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    Brace from Kane would be nice

    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 18 days ago

      Feels like a banana skin game. Queiroz will park a double decker bus and use Ghana's physicality to break at pace. Interesting test for England!

  15. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 18 days ago

    Come on England!!! Let's forqin feast