Ronaldo, 41, silences doubters in record-breaking World Cup display

TDT | Manama

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Cristiano Ronaldo made World Cup history in Houston on Tuesday, scoring twice as Portugal swept aside Uzbekistan 5–0 to move within touching distance of the knockout stages in Group K.

The Portugal captain became the first player ever to score in six separate World Cup tournaments, extending a record that now spans from his debut in 2006 to the present day.

Ronaldo opened the scoring after just six minutes, reacting quickly to a João Cancelo cut-back inside the area and sliding the ball home at the near post to give his nation an early lead in front of 68,777 spectators. The milestone goal was followed by his trademark “Siu” celebration as he acknowledged the travelling supporters.

Portugal doubled their advantage through Nuno Mendes, who stepped up for a free-kick and curled a low, precise effort into the bottom corner, wrong-footing Uzbekistan’s wall completely.

Ronaldo struck again in the 39th minute to complete his brace, with Bruno Fernandes threading a perfectly weighted through ball into the right side of the area and the veteran forward calmly finishing into the bottom corner to make it 3–0 before the break.

The brace took Ronaldo’s World Cup tally to 10 goals, moving him clear as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament ahead of Eusébio, one of the nation’s most iconic figures.

Portugal went into the interval firmly in control, and the second half carried the feel of a training exercise for Roberto Martínez’s side.

On the hour mark, a flowing move from a corner led to a chaotic sequence inside the box, with João Félix, Abdukodir Khusanov, and goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov all involved before the ball was eventually bundled in for an own goal, making it 4–0.

Substitute Rafael Leão added the fifth in the 87th minute, latching onto a deflected pass intended for Ronaldo before hammering a powerful finish into the top corner to complete the rout.

Ronaldo arrived at the match already holding the record for the most goals in men’s international football, with 143 to his name, but recent performances had sparked debate over his role in the starting XI.

He had struggled to make an impact in Portugal’s opening 1–1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, missing two clear chances and drawing criticism from sections of supporters and pundits.

However, head coach Roberto Martínez retained faith in his captain, who received a strong reception from fans in Houston during the warm-up and again when shown on stadium screens.

The result leaves Portugal on the brink of the knockout stages and firmly in control of Group K ahead of their final fixture.

The Europeans will face Colombia on Sunday at 2:30am (Bahrain time) in Miami, United States, while Uzbekistan will meet the Democratic Republic of Congo at the same time in Atlanta, Georgia.