Ronaldo nets brace at sixth World Cup as Portugal thrash Uzbekistan 5-0

Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name further into football history on Tuesday, becoming the first player ever to score in six different World Cup campaigns. The Portuguese captain achieved this milestone by scoring twice in his team's resounding 5-0 annihilation of Uzbekistan in Houston, a performance that emphatically silenced his recent critics.

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Ronaldo’s goal after six minutes made history, trumping even Lionel Messi, by scoring at six World Cups stretching back to 2006.

The historic goal arrived in the sixth minute, a moment that not only surpassed Lionel Messi's record but also underscored Ronaldo's remarkable longevity. After the initial breakthrough, Nuno Mendes extended Portugal's lead to 2-0. Ronaldo then showcased his predatory instincts again, securing his second goal just six minutes before halftime with a clinical finish. This brace brought his World Cup tally to 10 goals, surpassing the legendary Eusebio as Portugal's all-time leading scorer in the tournament.

Ronaldo, already the men's international football's leading scorer with 143 goals, entered the match facing scrutiny. Once considered a peer to Messi for the title of the world's best, his powers have been perceived to be waning at the highest level. His limited involvement and missed chances in Portugal's opening 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo had fueled calls for coach Roberto Martinez to drop him.

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The outclassed Uzbeks, coached by the Italian 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, were perfect opponents for Ronaldo to rediscover his scoring boots.

However, Martinez remained steadfast in his support for the veteran skipper. Ronaldo received a thunderous ovation from the 68,777 fans in attendance, a testament to his enduring popularity. Facing Uzbekistan, a debutant nation coached by former World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, provided the perfect stage for Ronaldo to rediscover his scoring touch. The match also saw a goal disallowed for Uzbekistan after a VAR review, and further Portuguese goals, with Ronaldo involved in the build-up to the fourth.

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But Martinez has stuck defiantly by his skipper, who was given a rapturous reception when he came out to warm up at Houston Stadium, and again each time he appeared on the big screens.