- Cristiano Ronaldo responded to critics with a defiant "I'm back, I'm back" message to the cameras after scoring two goals for Portugal in their 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan.
- The 41-year-old's brace made him the first player in history to score in six different World Cup tournaments, having first appeared in the competition in 2006.
- Ronaldo's first goal came from a low cross by Joao Cancelo, which he hooked in from six yards, while his second was a guided finish after being supplied by Bruno Fernandes.
- Pundits, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry, praised his performance, with Alexi Lalas noting his ability to perform under pressure despite the opposition.
- This achievement follows Lionel Messi also appearing in six World Cups and scoring a hat-trick against Algeria last week, though Ronaldo's 10 World Cup goals are still fewer than Messi's total of 18.
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