NEW DELHI: Cristiano Ronaldo turned back the clock with a stunning performance as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 41-year-old captain scored twice to help his team register their first win of the tournament after a disappointing performance against DR Congo.With his brace, Ronaldo created history by becoming the first player ever to score in six different FIFA World Cups, spanning from 2006 to 2026. He also became Portugal’s all-time world goalscorer with 10 goals, surpassing Eusebio’s tally of nine. The achievement also brought him alongside Lionel Messi and Michael Laudrup as players who are the youngest and oldest World Cup goalscorers for their country.In another record, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have reached a remarkable statistical symmetrywith both stars recording an identical gap of 20 years and 6 days between their first and last tournament goal.Portugal entered the match under pressure after being held 1-1 by DR Congo in their opening game. Against Uzbekistan, however, they looked much stronger and more confident. Along with Ronaldo’s two goals, Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao found the back of the net, while an own goal by Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov completed the rout.The emphatic victory not only revived Portugal’s World Cup campaign but also increased their goal difference ahead of the final group stage match. It was a particularly important response for Ronaldo, who had struggled to make an impact in the opening match.
Ronaldo and Martinez react
Despite reaching another historic milestone, Ronaldo insisted that the team’s success remains his priority.“The team performed really well and improved a lot. As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Obviously, speaking personally, the records are still beautiful, but my goal is always to help the national team achieve its objectives,” he said.Portugal coach Roberto Martinez praised his team’s response after the disappointing start.“This was the answer we had in the locker room. There are times when you need a game like the first to grow in the tournament. Today we saw a team with the same attitude and commitment, but with more maturity because it was no longer the opening match,” said Martinez.For Ronaldo, it was another reminder that even at 41 years old, he remains capable of making football history.
