The Uzbekistan team, led by former Italian player Fabio Cannavaro, defeated its counterpart from Venezuela on Monday in a penalty shootout (5-4), in a friendly match of the FIFA Series 2026 played in the city of Tashkent.
The local team scored all five shots from twelve steps, the last one converted by Akmal Mozgovoy.
For Vinotinto, offensive midfielder Carlos Sosa missed his shot, which ultimately decreed defeat for those led by former Venezuelan player Oswaldo Vizcarrondo.
Uzbekistan, with a game ahead, managed to cut off Venezuela’s exits. The Uzbek eleventh generated counterattacks from the wings, something that the South American team could barely contain, which opted for shots from a distance.
Uzbekistan – qualified for the 2026 World Cup – created a clear dangerous chance in the 27th minute, after a play started from the middle of the field that culminated with a volley that just went wide.
Venezuela’s two clearest options were, in the first half, led by David Martínez and Jesús Ramírez, who generated two dangerous shots. The first, however, lacked direction, while the second’s goal could be contained by the Uzbek goalkeeper, Abduvohid Nematov.
In the second half, both teamed up again in a play on the edge of the area and Vinotinto was close to opening the scoring, but Ramírez scored over the goal. Martínez, for his part, insisted with medium and long-distance shots, although he was unable to find the angle to break the tie.
In the 63rd minute, Uzbekistan took a free kick into the area that was connected with a header at point-blank range and that the Venezuelan goalkeeper, José Contreras, deflected with his face.
After the 90 regulation minutes had passed, both teams advanced directly to the penalty shootout, without going through extra time, in accordance with the format established for the FIFA Series 2026.
This is the second friendly between Venezuela and Uzbekistan, who previously met on March 28, 2023, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the FIFA Series 2026, Uzbekistan beat Gabon 3-1, while Venezuela won 4-1 against Trinidad and Tobago.
Uzbekistan shares group K of the 2026 World Cup with Portugal, Colombia and the winner of the playoff between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica.
– Technical sheet:
0 (5). Uzbekistan: Abduvohid Nematov; Sherzod Nasrullaev, Rustam Ashurmatov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Behruzjon Karimov (Khojiakbar Alijonov, d.72), Jakhongir Urozov; Oston Urunov (Jamshid Iskanderov, m.72), Otabek Shukurov, Odiljon Hamrobekov (Akmal Mozgovoy, m.72), Azizjon Ganiev (Alisher Odilov, m.58); Eldor Shomurodov (Sherzod Temirov, m.90).
Coach: Fabio Cannavaro.
0 (4). Venezuela: José Contreras; Nahuel Ferraresi, Carlos Vivas, Jon Aramburu, Teo Quintero; Christian Cásseres, Telasco Segovia; Gleiker Mendoza (Delvin Alfonzo, m.90), Wikelman Carmona (Luis González, m.64), David Martínez (Carlos Sosa, m.75); Jesús Ramírez (Salomón Rondón, d.64).
Coach: Oswaldo Vizcarrondo.
Goals: 0-0. Penalties: 0-1 Salomón Rondón; 1-1 Jamshid Iskanderov; 1-2 Luis González; 2-2 Sherzod Temirov; 3-2 Rustamjon Ashurmatov; 3-3 Teo Quintero; 4-3 Otabek Shukurov; 4-4 Telasco Segovia; 5-4 Akmal Mozgovoy.
Referee: The Kyrgyz Mederbek Taichiev cautioned Nahuel Ferraresi (Venezuela, m. 42).
Incidents: FIFA Series 2026 friendly match played at the Bunyodkor stadium in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
