Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in history to score at six different FIFA World Cups as Portugal thrashed tournament debutants Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston. The 41-year-old captain struck twice, taking his overall World Cup tally to 10 goals and surpassing Eusebio as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after just six minutes before adding his second shortly before half-time, while Nuno Mendes, an own goal and substitute Rafael Leão completed the rout. The emphatic victory moved Portugal to the brink of the last 32 and served as a perfect response from Roberto Martínez’s side following their opening draw with DR Congo.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo said the team’s performance mattered more than individual records. “I’m very happy, but the most important thing is our work and the confidence we showed,” he said. “Records are always nice, but my goal is always to help the national team achieve its objectives.”
GOAT