Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a record-breaking performance as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in their Group K clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026, strengthening their position in the race for the knockout stage.
The 41-year-old forward scored twice in Houston, becoming the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cups. The achievement came after Ronaldo had faced criticism over a 10-match goal drought in major international tournaments.
Portugal started aggressively, looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening match. The early pressure paid off when Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute, converting a low cross from Joao Cancelo at close range.
Nuno Mendes doubled Portugal’s lead with a cleverly executed free kick, while Ronaldo struck again shortly afterward, calmly finishing Bruno Fernandes’ precise pass into the far corner. The Portuguese captain’s brace also took his World Cup tally to 10 goals, surpassing the record of legendary striker Eusebio as Portugal’s highest scorer in World Cup history.
Uzbekistan briefly thought they had reduced the deficit through Azizjon Ganiev, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for a foul in the build-up. Portugal remained in complete control throughout the contest, creating numerous scoring opportunities and dominating possession.
In the second half, Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov suffered a moment to forget when he accidentally turned the ball into his own net. Rafael Leao completed the rout with a late strike, sealing a comprehensive 5-0 victory in front of a crowd of 68,777 spectators.
Following the match, Ronaldo emphasized that team success remained his priority despite the personal milestone. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez praised his players for showing greater maturity, improved decision-making, and sharper finishing compared to their opening fixture.
Portugal now have four points from two matches and will face Colombia in their final Group K game, while Uzbekistan, still without a point, are on the brink of elimination and will take on DR Congo in their last group-stage encounter.