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Cristiano Ronaldo made history on Tuesday by becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups as Portugal cruised to a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group K clash.
The Portugal captain scored twice to end a 10-match goal drought in major tournaments and help his side bounce back from a disappointing 1-1 draw against Congo DR, a result that had sparked criticism of both Ronaldo and head coach Roberto Martínez.
Questions had intensified over Martínez’s decision to continue starting the veteran forward after Portugal’s lacklustre opening performance, but Ronaldo delivered a timely response.
He opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a near-post finish before later racing onto a through ball to make it 3-0 before halftime.
In between, he selflessly allowed Nuno Mendes to take a free-kick opportunity that resulted in Portugal’s second goal - a scene which has now gone viral with fans thinking he would recreate his goal against Spain in the 2018 World Cup.
"God helps those who work hard. I knew my teammates would help out too.
"It was a difficult week, a dark week. It felt like I’d retired from soccer. But I hung in there, as I always do, because I believe in hard work more than anything else.
"It was tough, I have to admit, but we’re back," the 41-year old said in a interview after the match.
Portugal dominated throughout, pressing high and overwhelming Uzbekistan with pace and movement. An own goal involving Abdukodir Khusanov and goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov made it 4-0 just after the hour mark, while Rafael Leão completed the rout with a powerful finish late on.
Ronaldo had opportunities to complete a hat-trick in the second half but was denied by several saves from Nematov. Nevertheless, he was named man of the match as Portugal moved onto four points ahead of their final group fixture against Colombia.
The goals cemented Ronaldo’s place in football history. He is now the only player to have scored in six different World Cups - Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and the 2026 tournament.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al Nassr, also became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history at 41 years and 138 days, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored at 42 during the 1994 World Cup.
Reflecting on the criticism directed at him and Martínez over the past week, Ronaldo said he had grown accustomed to public scrutiny.
"We’ve improved; that’s just how life is. We face setbacks during games and in life, but the main goal is always to improve.
"It was a very tough and difficult week, with public opinion being very harsh on all the players, especially on me and the coach.
"But I don’t mind. I’ve been in this profession for 23 years now, and whenever things go well, Cristiano is doing great, but when they go badly, Cristiano is retired, he’s too old. It will always be like that.
"But we responded well today. That’s what we wanted. We played with a high line, and when we do that, it’s hard to stop Portugal," he said.
The achievement also adds another chapter to Ronaldo’s long-running rivalry with Argentina captain Lionel Messi. Earlier this year, Ronaldo and Messi became the first men’s players to appear in six World Cup tournaments.
However, Ronaldo now stands alone as the only player to score in all six editions he has participated in. Messi failed to score during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa despite later becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 18 goals.
Ronaldo’s latest brace took his World Cup tally to 10 goals and further strengthened a remarkable international record. Tuesday’s match marked his 230th appearance for Portugal, the most by any male player in history, while his two goals increased his national team tally to 145.
Widely expected to be his final World Cup, Ronaldo’s appearance in the United States, Canada and Mexico adds another milestone to a glittering career that includes five UEFA Champions League titles and Portugal’s triumph at Euro 2016.
"I always arrive. Sooner or later, I’m there. The most important thing is the team, being united with them and with our families. We can’t control the rest that comes from outside.
"We know that when we don’t win, we get attacked. Especially me," the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said.
