World Cup 2026 | Portugal 5 - 0 Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups
His double inspired Portugal to a convincing victory over Uzbekistan.
Author | Lewis Whatley
Stadium | Houston Stadium
The 41-year-old made history when he opened the scoring after six minutes, sweeping a low half-volley in at the near post from Joao Cancelo's cross from the right.
Ronaldo's goal also made him the second oldest man to score at a World Cup, behind Cameroon's Roger Milla, who was 42 when he found the net against Russia in 1994.
A closer analysis of what happened as Ronaldo made more history
Portugal had faced criticism after their 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening match, but they responded in emphatic fashion against the tournament debutants.
They doubled their lead in the 17th minute in Houston when Nuno Mendes found the net directly from a low free-kick from 20 yards.
Uzbekistan thought they had produced a stunning response when Aziz G'aniev fired spectacularly into the net, only for the effort to be ruled out after Abbosbek Fayzullaev was adjudged to have fouled Cancelo.
Ronaldo struck again in the 39th minute to make it 3-0 after Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes won possession near the centre circle and threaded a pass through for the Portugal captain, who guided a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov's own goal extended the lead to four when Uzbekistan failed to clear a corner, with the ball taking the final touch off him, before substitute Rafael Leao hammered home a late fifth to complete the rout.
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