Why was Azizjon Ganiev’s goal disallowed for Uzbekistan against Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Uzbekistan’s goal against Portugal in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K match in Houston on Tuesday was disallowed in the 29th minute.

Azizjon Ganiev’s strike from the ‘D’ flew past an outstretched Diogo Costa into the Portuguese net to reduce the deficit after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nuno Mendes put the European side ahead.

But after review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the goal was disallowed due to a foul in the build-up.

Striker Abbosbek Fayzullayev was deemed to have fouled Joao Cancelo before Ganiev fired the ball into the net.

The goal would have been Uzbekistan’s second ever World Cup goal. Fayzullayev scored in the 1-3 defeat against Colombia in the first round.

Published on June 23, 2026