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Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics with a record-breaking performance as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 on Tuesday to move to the brink of the World Cup knockout stage.
The 41-year-old captain scored twice in Houston, becoming the first player in history to score in six different World Cup campaigns, surpassing long-time rival Lionel Messi’s mark.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after just six minutes, meeting a cross from Joao Cancelo and firing past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov. The goal extended his remarkable World Cup scoring record, with goals now spanning tournaments from 2006 to 2026.
The Portugal striker celebrated with his trademark “Siu” in front of a crowd of 68,777 fans, who had given him a warm reception throughout the match.
Portugal doubled their lead in the 17th minute through Nuno Mendes before Ronaldo struck again six minutes before halftime with a composed finish to make it 3-0.
The brace took Ronaldo’s tally at World Cups to 10 goals, more than any other Portuguese player in history, surpassing the legendary Eusebio.
Ronaldo entered the match under pressure following Portugal’s disappointing 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening game, where he failed to score despite getting chances in front of goal.
The performance had prompted criticism from some observers who questioned whether coach Roberto Martinez should continue to start the veteran forward.
Martinez, however, maintained his faith in his captain, and Ronaldo responded with one of his most influential displays on the international stage in recent years.
Portugal continued to dominate after Ronaldo’s second goal. An own goal by Nematov made it 4-0 before substitute Rafael Leao added a fifth in the 87th minute to complete the rout.
The result also marked a significant personal milestone for Ronaldo, whose influence and longevity continue to defy expectations despite concerns over his form at major tournaments. Prior to the Uzbekistan match, he had failed to score in his previous 10 appearances at major international competitions, recording just one assist.
However, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star reminded fans of his enduring quality with a clinical display that helped Portugal take a major step toward the knockout rounds.
Portugal will conclude their group-stage campaign on Saturday against Colombia, who defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opening match.
