Ronaldo Makes History With Brace as Portugal Thrash Uzbekistan 5-0

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player ever to score in six different World Cups as his first-half double helped Portugal cruise past Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston on Tuesday evening. 

The 41-year-old answered his critics in style after questions had been raised about whether he should even be starting following Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening game.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute, sweeping a low half-volley into the near post from Joao Cancelo's cross. The goal made him the second oldest scorer in World Cup history, behind only Cameroon legend Roger Milla who was 42 when he scored against Russia in 1994.

Nuno Mendes doubled the lead in the 17th minute, curling a low free kick from 20 yards into the net. Most people in the stadium expected Ronaldo to take it, but Mendes stepped up and did the job himself.

Ronaldo got his second before halftime when Bruno Fernandes picked the ball up in midfield and slipped a through ball between the Uzbekistan defence. Ronaldo took it cleanly and finished into the bottom corner, his 10th career World Cup goal, moving him clear of Eusebio as Portugal's all-time top scorer at the tournament.

Uzbekistan had a goal ruled out in between, with Aziz Ganiev's effort disallowed after a foul on Cancelo in the build-up.

Portugal added two more in the second half. Goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov turned a corner into his own net in the 60th minute, before substitute Rafael Leao wrapped things up with a fifth in the 87th minute.

The win takes Portugal to the top of Group K, a point ahead of Colombia, who face DR Congo later tonight. The two sides meet in the final group game on Saturday in Miami.

Ronaldo's two goals are now the 144th and 145th of his international career, a record he holds by 23 goals over Lionel Messi. 

He has scored at every World Cup since 2006, netting once in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022, four times in 2018, and now two in 2026. Messi, by comparison, has scored at five of his six tournaments, having failed to register in 2010.