Both sides had gone into the match knowing a win would send them through to the knockout stage but Tajikistan were never in it from the kick off as Uzbekistan produced easily their best performance of the tournament so far.

A large crowd turned out to cheer on the home side and it did not take long for them to be given something to shout about when Uzbekistan took the lead inside the first minute.

Muhammadjon Abdullaev got the faintest of touches on Timur Khakimov’s free-kick to head beyond Bahodur Shamsov for the opener.

It took a superb diving save from Shamsov to deny Uzbekistan adding to their lead 12 minutes later when skipper Abbosbek Makhstaliev raced onto a lofted pass from midfield and brought the ball under control before dispatching a well-struck effort that the Tajikistan stopper did well to punch away.

But Shamsov could do nothing when the hosts added to their lead in the 18th minute when Abdullaev lifted a cross to the edge of the area where the unmarked Javlon Mirabdullaev hooked a volley that looped just inside the far post.

The goals continued to come as the game was effectively ended as a contest six minutes later, this time Khakimov lashed home from close range after latching onto Azizbek Murotov’s cross.

Uzbekistan kept up the tempo and Shamsov had to be alert to tip over Ynus Ochildiev’s shot before Makhstaliev’s header from a corner struck the post before being cleared to safety.

But Makhstaliev was not to be denied seven minutes before the break when Khakimov picked out the midfielder inside the area and, with defenders nowhere to be seen, he had time to control the ball before driving a shot into the roof of the net.

Tajikistan pulled a goal back in the 58th minute when Ibrohimi Muhtojzoda powered home a header from a corner.

But Uzbekistan restored their four-goal cushion with less than 20 minutes remaining when lanky striker Jasurbek Khakimov saw his shot take a deflection off Dilshodzhon Karimov and looped into the net.

There was still time for the hosts to add further goals through Nodirhon Kamolov and Murotov – both from the penalty spot – before Karimov was sent off for Tajikistan a minute from full time.

Khakimov then scrambled home a shot in stoppage-time to complete a stunning performance for Uzbekistan and signal a warning to the rest of the tournament’s quarter-finalists.