Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal cruised to a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Tuesday, with the veteran forward making history by becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup campaigns.
The 41-year-old captain wasted little time in announcing his presence at Houston Stadium, finding the back of the net just six minutes into the Group K encounter to put Portugal ahead and etch his name deeper into football folklore.
Ronaldo’s goal marked a remarkable milestone, having now scored at World Cups spanning from 2006 to 2026. His first World Cup strike came against Iran in Germany 20 years ago, and two decades later he remains a decisive figure on football’s biggest stage.
The Portuguese icon entered the match under scrutiny after a quiet display in his side’s opening 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prior to the Uzbekistan clash, Ronaldo had gone 10 major tournament matches with just one assist and no goals, drawing comparisons with prolific stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Portugal, however, quickly put those concerns to rest. Ronaldo nearly opened the scoring after only three minutes when he narrowly missed connecting with a cross from Nuno Mendes at the far post.
The Al Nassr striker would not have to wait long. Three minutes later, he reacted quickest inside the penalty area to convert from close range and hand Portugal an early advantage.
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Buoyed by the breakthrough, Portugal dominated proceedings and added further goals to secure an emphatic victory, with Ronaldo completing his brace to cap another memorable night in national colours.
The result strengthened Portugal’s position in the group while reaffirming Ronaldo’s enduring influence despite entering the twilight of a glittering career.
Having made his international debut in 2003, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star continues to defy age and expectations. He arrived at the World Cup after another productive campaign with Al Nassr, where he scored 28 goals in 30 league appearances.
As Portugal continue their pursuit of a first World Cup title, Ronaldo’s record-breaking performance served as a reminder that one of football’s greatest-ever players still has a significant role to play on the global stage.