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Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo are in Houston on Tuesday, hoping that there isn’t a problem in front of goal.
Having been frustrated by a well-organised DR Congo side, Roberto Martinez’s Group K favourites will be expected to respond with a convincing win over underdogs Uzbekistan.
Lionel Messi made history on Monday, but Ronaldo can also put his name in the World Cup record books by becoming the first player to score at six tournaments. A free-kick or penalty might help him towards that goal, but who will be the referee in charge at Houston Stadium?
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Referee appointment for Portugal vs Uzbekistan
This Group K fixture will be officiated by a referee from the CAF confederation.
Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2019, though he does not turn 40 until next year.
He has experience of refereeing at major tournaments, having officiated the third-place playoff between Egypt and Nigeria at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
And he has already taken charge of a match at the World Cup, overseeing Germany’s 7-1 victory over minnow Curacao in Group E.
He did not give any yellow or red cards in that game, although he did award Germany a penalty for a foul on Felix Nmecha.
Jayed is a top-tier referee in his home country, refereeing high profile top-flight matches since 2015.
He is the first Moroccan referee to go to a World Cup since 2002, when Mohamed Guezzaz officiated in South Korea and Japan.
Jayed’s compatriots Zakaria Brinsi and Mostafa Akarkad will be the assistant referees.
South African Abongile Tom will be the fourth official, with Uruguayan Leodan Gonzalez and Moroccan Hamza El Fareq the VAR officials.
