Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name deeper into football history by becoming the first player to score in six FIFA World Cups as Portugal cruised to a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan.
The 41-year-old forward struck twice in a commanding display that sent Portugal to the top of Group K and silenced critics after their disappointing 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening match.
Ronaldo wasted little time making an impact. In the sixth minute, he met Joao Cancelo’s cross with a low half-volley to open the scoring and become the second-oldest player to score at a World Cup, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla.
Portugal take control
Roberto Martinez’s side doubled their advantage in the 17th minute when Nuno Mendes surprised everyone by firing a low free-kick directly into the net from 20 yards.
Uzbekistan briefly thought they had pulled one back through Aziz G’aniev’s spectacular strike, but the goal was ruled out after Abbosbek Fayzullaev was adjudged to have fouled Cancelo in the build-up.
Portugal’s dominance continued and Ronaldo grabbed his second goal before half-time. Bruno Fernandes won possession near the halfway line and threaded a pass into the path of his captain, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Ronaldo surpasses Eusebio
The brace moved Ronaldo ahead of Portuguese legend Eusebio as the country’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup.
He nearly completed a hat-trick later in the match, but Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov cleared his audacious lob off the line.
Portugal added a fourth goal when goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov turned the ball into his own net after Uzbekistan failed to deal with a corner.
Substitute Rafael Leao completed the rout late on, smashing home a powerful finish to make it 5-0.
Veteran responds to criticism
Ronaldo entered the match under pressure after a quiet display against DR Congo, where he recorded the fewest touches among Portugal’s outfield players who completed the game.
His double also ended an 11-match scoring drought at major tournaments and marked only the second time he has scored more than once in a World Cup match.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has now scored 10 goals across six World Cups, having found the net in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026.
His latest achievement comes just days after Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 18 goals following his brace for Argentina against Austria.
Portugal’s emphatic win leaves them top of Group K, although Colombia could overtake them with victory over DR Congo.
At the final whistle, a jubilant Ronaldo celebrated in front of the cameras, shouting: “I’m back, I’m back.”
With another record secured and his scoring touch restored, the Portuguese icon delivered the perfect response to his critics.
