Ronaldo scores historic sixth World Cup goal in Portugal's 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Cristiano Ronaldo made history by scoring in his sixth World Cup tournament, netting twice in Portugal's 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan.
- The brace also marked Ronaldo's 10th World Cup goal, surpassing Eusebio, and helped Portugal move closer to the knockout stages.
- Despite recent criticism, Ronaldo's performance silenced doubters and reaffirmed his status as a key player for Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name further into football history on Tuesday, becoming the first player to score in six World Cup tournaments. His brace in Portugal's dominant 5-0 victory over debutants Uzbekistan not only silenced critics but also put his team on the cusp of advancing to the knockout rounds.
The historic goal came in the sixth minute, a swift strike that outpaced even Lionel Messi's record for scoring across multiple World Cups. Ronaldo's signature "Siu" celebration echoed through Houston Stadium, a powerful response to recent doubts about his form. This marked his 10th World Cup goal, a new Portuguese record.
Despite a less impactful performance in Portugal's opening match, coach Roberto Martinez maintained faith in his captain. The crowd's reception underscored Ronaldo's enduring popularity. The match itself provided a perfect stage for Ronaldo to rediscover his scoring touch against an outmatched Uzbek side, coached by World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro.
Nuno Mendes doubled Portugal's lead before Ronaldo calmly slotted home his second goal before halftime. While Uzbekistan had a goal disallowed by VAR, the day belonged to Ronaldo, who continued to showcase his scoring prowess.
Siu
Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.