KUCHING: Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six FIFA World Cups as Portugal brushed aside Uzbekistan 5-0 to reignite their Group K campaign today.
The 41-year-old captain opened the scoring in the sixth minute before adding a second before half-time as Portugal responded in style to criticism following their opening 1-1 draw against DR Congo.
Ronaldo’s early strike from Joao Cancelo’s cross saw him become the first player to find the net in six different World Cup tournaments, extending a record he had already set by scoring in five editions of the competition.
The goal also made him the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored against Russia at the age of 42 during the 1994 tournament.
Portugal doubled their advantage in the 17th minute when Nuno Mendes caught Uzbekistan off guard with a low free-kick from 20 yards.
Uzbekistan thought they had found a spectacular reply through Aziz G’aniev, but the effort was ruled out after Abbosbek Fayzullaev was adjudged to have fouled Cancelo in the build-up.
Ronaldo struck again six minutes before the break after Bruno Fernandes won possession in midfield and threaded a pass through for the veteran forward, who calmly slotted home for his 10th World Cup goal.
The floodgates opened after the interval as Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov turned the ball into his own net while attempting to deal with a Portugal corner.
Substitute Rafael Leao completed the scoring late on as Roberto Martinez’s side secured a convincing victory that moved them to the top of Group K.
The result leaves Uzbekistan without a point after two matches and facing an uphill battle to remain in contention for a place in the Round of 32.
For Ronaldo, however, the night belonged to history. Having scored at Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and now the 2026 finals, he stands alone as the only player to score in six different World Cups.
Portugal will face Colombia in a potentially decisive Group K showdown on June 28, while Uzbekistan take on DR Congo in their final group-stage fixture.
