Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0, setting World Cup record

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on Tuesday, making him the first player ever to score goals in six World Cups. The final round of the tournament's group stage begins on Wednesday. Cristian Benavides reports.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 to secure their first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 41-year-old became the first player to score in six different World Cups and Portugal’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 10 goals. Ronaldo also matched Lionel Messi and Michael Laudrup as both his country's youngest and oldest World Cup scorer.

Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics as he became the first man to score in six different World Cups on Tuesday as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0. while England could only managea 0-0 draw against Ghana in Monday's group games.

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score in six FIFA World Cup tournaments following a brace in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan.   He netted twice in the first half to continue his World Cup scoring streak that started on his debut in 2006 and he also found the net in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions of the competition.   Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leao and an own goal also added to Ronaldo’s strikes to seal an emphatic victory against Uzbekistan and shrug off reports of internal crisis within the Portuguese team.   Ronaldo scored the opener in the sixth minute with a smart finish into the near post from Joao Cancelo’s cross to raucous applause from fans. The 41-year-old was a decoy as Mendes slammed a low free-kick into the bottom corner from 20 yards out, before Ronaldo made even more history six minutes before halftime.   Bruno Fernandes played in the forward who stroked a low finish into the bottom far corner for three-nil. It was his 10th goal in World Cup history and he becomes Portugal’s record goalscorer in the competition, surpassing Eusebio’s record set 60 years ago. The legendary Portugal striker netted nine goals at the 1966 World Cup, and Ronaldo can extend his record with further goals in the tournament.   The Al Nassr captain failed to and more to his tally as he was denied by the Uzbekistan goalkeeper, and failed to poke home a cross in added time.   Portugal are top of Group K with four points and face Colombia in their final group match.

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, is now the country’s all-time leading goalscorer in the FIFA World Cup tournament. The 41-year-old achieved this feat after scoring a brace in Portugal’s 5-0 win against Uzbekistan on Tuesday. Ronaldo’s brace has taken his tally to 10 goals in FIFA World Cup history from 24 appearances. The Al-Nassr forward is one […] World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo now Portugal’s all-time leading goal scorer [Top 11]

Scoring a brace against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player to score in six different editions of the FIFA World Cup. The 41-year-old will hope to secure Portugal a knockout stage berth, with the squad facing Colombia for their final group stage match on Saturday.

PORTUGAL · WORLD CUP Key Facts —World Cup 2026 Portugal: A five-nil win over Uzbekistan in Houston sent them top of Group K. —Cristiano Ronaldo: The captain scored twice for his ninth and tenth World Cup goals. —Record: Ronaldo became the first player to score at six different World Cups. —Group K: Portugal lead on […] The post World Cup 2026 Portugal Crush Uzbekistan 5-0 on Ronaldo Brace appeared first on The Rio Times.

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again silenced the critics by etching his name into the record books as the first male player to score in six different World Cup tournaments. Despite mounting pressure regarding his age and international form, the 41-year-old icon proved that his clinical instincts remain sharp on the grandest stage of all.

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a historic performance with a brilliant brace as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K clash at Houston Stadium on Tuesday (local time), securing their first victory of the tournament in emphatic fashion.Goals from Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao, along with an own goal involving Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov, completed a dominant display from Roberto Martinez's side, who responded strongly after being held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening fixture.Portugal wasted little time asserting their authority, taking the lead in the sixth minute through Ronaldo. Joao Cancelo's low cross found the veteran striker inside the box, and he made no mistake from close range to put his side ahead.The European champions doubled their advantage 11 minutes later when Nuno Mendes curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner, giving Nematov no chance.Ronaldo struck again before the interval to all but seal the contest. Bruno Fernandes released the Portuguese captain with a perfectly weighted through ball in the 39th minute, and the 41-year-old calmly slotted home to hand Portugal a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.Uzbekistan struggled to mount a response after the break, with Eldor Shomurodov's effort over the crossbar one of their few meaningful opportunities.Portugal continued to dominate possession and added a fourth goal in the 60th minute. Fernandes' corner was cleverly flicked on by Joao Felix, causing confusion inside the six-yard box before the ball deflected off Abdukodir Khusanov and struck goalkeeper Nematov's glove before rolling into the net for an own goal.The fifth and final goal arrived in the 87th minute when substitute Rafael Leao reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area and hammered his effort into the back of the net, capping another impressive attacking display by Portugal.The convincing victory moved Portugal to the top of Group K with four points from two matches and significantly improved their goal difference ahead of their final group-stage fixture.Ronaldo's brace also saw him rewrite the record books. The Portuguese captain became his country's all-time leading World Cup scorer with 10 goals, surpassing Eusebio's previous record of nine. He also became the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.The two-goal performance marked a timely return to form for Ronaldo after a subdued display in Portugal's tournament opener against DR Congo, where he failed to register a shot on target. His match-winning contribution against Uzbekistan ended a 10-match goal drought in major international tournaments and reaffirmed his ability to deliver on football's biggest stage.Colombia are second in Group K with three points from one match, while Portugal will now look to carry their momentum into the final group encounter.

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after becoming the first player to score at six FIFA World Cups, netting twice in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 to strengthen their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout hopes and rewrite national history. The 41-year-old became Portugal’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 10 goals, surpassing Eusébio’s 60-year-old record, while also extending his own record as the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments.

Cristiano Ronaldo makes history, scoring in his sixth World Cup campaign with a brace as Portugal thrash Uzbekistan 5-0. Read about Ronaldo’s record-breaki Read More: https://punchng.com/ronaldo-nets-brace-at-sixth-world-cup-as-portugal-thrash-uzbekistan-5-0/

Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Portugal beat Uzbekistan in their World Cup group match in Houston, becoming the first footballer to score at six World Cup tournaments.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal crushed Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston to strengthen their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stages. The captain opened the scoring before adding a record-breaking second goal, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups and surpassing Eusébio as Portugal’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to score in six World Cups as his double helps Portugal thrash Uzbekistan.

Ronaldo became the first men's player to score in six FIFA World Cups as Portugal registered their first victory of the 2026 tournament and moved to the top of Group K.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups and Portugal’s all-time leading marksman at the global finals with two goals in Tuesday’s emphatic 5-0 Group K win over Uzbekistan in Houston. The 41-year-old had failed to find the back of the net in his previous 10 games in major finals, but, […]

HOUSTON, United States (AFP) — Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cup campaigns and silenced his critics as the Portugal captain struck twice in a 5-0 annihilation of Uzbekistan on Tuesday. The big win in Houston put Portugal on the brink of the knockout rounds and was a resounding response to the 41-year-old's doubters. Ronaldo's goal after six minutes made history -- trumping even Lionel Messi -- by scoring at six World Cups stretching back to 2006. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus ace pulled out his trademark "Siu" celebration and let out a throaty roar in front of 68,777 fans. After Nuno Mendes made it 2-0, Ronaldo neatly got his second with a cool finish six minutes before the break. That took him to 10 World Cup goals, more than any other Portuguese player including the great Eusebio. Ronaldo came into the group encounter against tournament debutants Uzbekistan with 143 goals, the most in international men's football. But once widely regarded as a competitor to Messi for the unofficial title of best player,  his powers have been on the wane at the highest level. He had limited service in the disappointing 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo to start Portugal's World Cup title bid. But when he did have two chances he missed the target, igniting calls for coach Roberto Martinez to drop him. His travails in front of goal were in glaring contrast to the likes of Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, who all made lightning starts to the World Cup. But Martinez has stuck defiantly by his skipper, who was given a rapturous reception when he came out to warm up at Houston Stadium, and again each time he appeared on the big screens. Ronaldo nearly pounced after just three minutes, narrowly failing to make contact at the far post after a cross by Mendes. Ronaldo slapped the turf in frustration. He did not have to wait long for his goal, swivelling on the six-yard box to meet a cross first time from Joao Cancelo and smash the ball beyond goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov. The outclassed Uzbeks, coached by the Italian 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, were perfect opponents for Ronaldo to rediscover his scoring boots. It was 2-0 on 17 minutes when Mendes curled in a free-kick. The Uzbeks thought they had pulled one back, after a screamer by Azizjon Ganiev, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR intervention for a foul on Cancelo. It was Ronaldo's day, and he rolled in a third with only the goalkeeper to beat with a smart, controlled finish. He might have had a third following an intricate freekick routine, but Nematov denied him, clattering into the veteran attacker in the process. From the resulting corner it was 4-0, with Ronaldo in the thick of it again before the ball went in off Nematov for an own goal. Substitute Rafael Leao scored an emphatic fifth in the 87th minute. Before this, the evidence against Ronaldo was beginning to stack up. In the previous 10 games at major competitions (World Cup and Euros) before the Uzbekistan match, he had zero goals and one assist. He did though have a successful season with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, scoring 28 goals in 30 league games. Portugal's final group match is on Saturday against Colombia, who beat the Uzbeks 3-1. Colombia meet DR Congo later Tuesday in Group K knowing a win will propel them into the last 32.

Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan: Cristiano Ronaldo bags brace, makes history in dominant victory - as it happened  ESPN'I'm back' - record-breaking Ronaldo answers critics  BBCWorld Cup 2026: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan - Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at tournament to break more scoring records  Sky SportsCristiano Ronaldo ends his goal drought as rampant Portugal outclass Uzbekistan  The GuardianFIFA World Cup 2026 stats: Ronaldo breaks Messi's WC record; England's unlucky 13; Modric fourth all-time with 200  ESPN

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments on Tuesday, netting twice as Portugal cruised to a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. The 41-ye...

Cristiano Ronaldo makes history, becoming the first male player to score in six different World Cup campaigns. Read about Ronaldo’s record-breaking goal. Read More: https://punchng.com/portugals-ronaldo-first-man-to-score-at-six-world-cups/

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has become the first footballer to score in six different World Cups. Ronaldo achieved the feat when he opened the scoring against Uzbekistan at the ongoing tournament in North America. The 41-year-old had come under criticisms from fans and pundits, following their opening 0-0 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo. […] 2026 World Cup: Ronaldo breaks new record with goal in Portugal vs Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo has silenced some of his critics at the World Cup by making history during Portugal's clash with Uzbekistan.

Cristiano Ronaldo has silenced some of his critics at the World Cup by making history during Portugal's clash with Uzbekistan.

The 41-year-old struck twice in Houston to become the first player to score in six World Cups and move clear of Eusébio in Portugal's record books.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again rewrote football history on the grandest stage. The Portugal captain became the first player ever to score in six different FIFA World Cups after finding the back of the net against Uzbekistan in Portugal's Group K clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday. The goal not only set a new benchmark in the tournament's history but also ended Ronaldo's recent goal drought, reaffirming his enduring ability to deliver in football's biggest moments.History for @Cristiano! Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score in six different @FIFAWorldCup tournaments! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/qI1Zvt0uJS— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 23, 2026 With the strike, Ronaldo etched his name into football history by scoring in six separate World Cup editions—2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026—an achievement no other player has managed. The Portuguese icon also increased his overall World Cup tally to nine goals, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. | GOAL: CRISTIANO RONALDO OPENS THE SCORING FOR PORTUGAL! WHAT A GOLAZOO!HE SCORES HIS FIRST GOAL IN THE 2026 WORLD CUP! Portugal 1-0 Uzbekistan pic.twitter.com/yj3qcrJBt4— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) June 23, 2026 Ronaldo Fails To Fire After Messi Hat-Trick, Mbappe and Haaland Seize FIFA World Cup 2026 SpotlightComing into the match, Ronaldo faced criticism after an underwhelming display in Portugal's 1-1 draw against DR Congo, where he squandered several opportunities. However, the veteran forward responded in emphatic fashion, silencing doubters with an early breakthrough against World Cup debutants Uzbekistan.Portugal continued their strong start after Ronaldo's opener, putting Uzbekistan under sustained pressure as Roberto Martínez's side searched for their first victory of the tournament. The result is crucial for the 2016 European champions as they look to strengthen their chances of progressing from Group K.

Cristiano Ronaldo has etched his name in history, becoming the first footballer to score in six FIFA World Cup editions. The 41-year-old captain achieved this remarkable feat against Uzbekistan, extending a record that began in 2006. This milestone comes as Portugal seeks to rebound from a draw, with Ronaldo silencing critics by delivering on the grandest stage once again. His consistent brilliance across two decades solidifies his legacy.