Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro has taken responsibility for his team’s heavy 5-0 defeat against Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The result ended Uzbekistan’s hopes of progressing after the tournament debutants were eliminated following their second Group K match.
Speaking after the game, the former Italy international defended his players and admitted that his tactical decisions contributed to the disappointing result.
Coach blames tactical approach
Cannavaro said he has always accepted responsibility throughout his career, both as a footballer and as a coach.
He insisted that the defeat was not because of his players’ efforts but because of decisions made on the touchline.
“If we lost 5-0, it is because today I made mistakes, and not them,” Cannavaro said.
He added that the players should be encouraged to take risks and learn from difficult moments, especially during their first appearance at the World Cup.
Disallowed goal affected confidence
The Uzbekistan coach also pointed to Azizjon Ganiev’s disallowed goal as a moment that affected his team’s confidence.
According to Cannavaro, the decision came when Portugal were leading 2-0 and changed the mentality of his players during the match.
Despite the result, he praised the squad for their efforts and encouraged them to continue improving.
