Cristiano Ronaldo overtook Eusébio as Portugal’s all-time World Cup goalscorer after scoring twice in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, ending a record that had stood for six decades and adding another major achievement to an extraordinary international career.Portugal entered their second Group K match under pressure after a frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their tournament opener. Questions were asked about Roberto Martínez’s side after a flat attacking display, while Ronaldo himself faced criticism after failing to convert several promising opportunities.Ninety minutes later, the team and their captain had given a definitive answer.
First breakthrough and historic milestone
The discovery came after only six minutes and carried a historical significance of its own. João Cancelo lunged forward on the right before driving a low cross into the penalty area. Ronaldo timed his move perfectly, getting away from his marker and producing a beautiful shot that steered the ball past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov.The finish gave Portugal the lead, but also made Ronaldo the first footballer in history to score in six World Cup tournaments, extending a record he already owns after becoming the first player to score in five editions of the competition.
The moment of record
His biggest moment came just before halftime. With Portugal already leading 2-0 after Nuno Mendes’ brilliant free-kick routine, Bruno Fernandes collected possession in the center of the pitch and slotted a precise pass through the heart of Uzbekistan’s defence. Ronaldo anticipated the opening instantly, timed his run to perfection and calmly slotted a low finish into the corner to make it 3-0.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
That goal took him to ten World Cup goals for Portugal, allowing him to surpass Eusébio’s national record of nine.
Eusébio’s legacy is the 60-year mark
The success closed a remarkable chapter that began at the 1966 World Cup in England. Eusébio, one of the most iconic figures in Portuguese football history, scored all nine World Cup goals during a single tournament as he led Portugal to third place. Known around the world as the “Black Panther”, he reached that tally in just six games, with six of those goals coming at Goodison Park in Liverpool. Four of their nine goals came from the penalty spot, while the remaining five came from open play.For 60 years, no Portuguese player has been able to go beyond that mark. Ronaldo finally did so in Houston.
Longevity vs. brilliance
The comparison between the two achievements reflects two very different forms of greatness. Eusébio set the record through one of the most explosive individual tournaments football has ever seen. Ronaldo has exuded longevity, consistency and the ability to remain decisive over two decades at the highest level. His second goal against Uzbekistan came in his 24th World Cup appearance and during his sixth World Cup tournament, twenty years after his debut in Germany in 2006.The brace was part of a dominant Portuguese performance that transformed the complexion of Group K. Nuno Mendes added Portugal’s second goal after Ronaldo cleverly acted as a decoy during a routine free-kick, while an own goal from Abduvohid Nematov and a late strike from Rafael Leão completed the 5-0 win.
Additional records and milestones
Beyond surpassing Eusébio, Ronaldo left the field with many additional records and milestones attached to his name.His opening goal made him the first player to score in six World Cups. At the age of 41 years and 138 days, he also became the second oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, behind only Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored at the age of 42 during the 1994 tournament.The double also pushed Ronaldo’s career tally to a staggering 975 goals for club and country.
What it means for Portugal
Most importantly for Portugal, the win moved Martínez’s side within four points from two games and put them firmly on course for qualification to the knockout stages ahead of a decisive final group meeting with Colombia.For Ronaldo, however, the evening will be remembered for something even more lasting. A record set by Portugal’s greatest World Cup hero in 1966 had survived for six decades. It now belongs to a player who has spent much of the last twenty years rewriting football history, one stage at a time.
