After seeing the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland hit the headlines at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo reached lift-off in Houston in fine fashion.
Playing in his sixth World Cup finals, the 41-year-old got the ball up and running against Uzbekistan with a brilliant close-range effort following Joao Cancelo’s cross.
It was a history-making goal — Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups and he also became the second-oldest scorer in tournament history behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla.
The relief on Ronaldo’s face after he struggled in the opener against Congo DR was palpable.
Inspired, the veteran netted his second with a well-taken strike into the corner just before half-time for his 10th World Cup goal to become Portugal’s leading scorer in the global finals, ahead of the legendary Eusebio with nine.
In between, Ronaldo played a role in Portugal’s second, acting as a clever decoy for Nuno Mendes’s brilliant first-half free-kick.
A fourth came via an Uzbekistan own goal midway through the second half, with Rafa Leao putting the icing on the cake in the 87th minute.
Having got their first World Cup goal against Colombia, Uzbekistan thought they found the scoresheet again with a stunning effort from distance from Azizjon Ganiev.
The goal was ruled out for a foul, however.
The debutants’ campaign hangs in the balance.
