Ronaldo Set a Unique World Cup Record: Portugal Routed Uzbekistan
24 June 04:03
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to rewrite the history of world soccer. In the second match of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, the 41-year-old captain of the Portuguese national team scored twice against Uzbekistan and set several historic milestones. The legendary Portuguese player’s record was documented by the statistics portal OptaJoe, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The Portuguese secured a convincing 5-0 victory, and Ronaldo became the first player to score at six different World Cups.
Ronaldo scored as early as the sixth minute
Portugal started the match strongly and opened the scoring in the sixth minute. João Cancelo sent a cross into the penalty area, and Cristiano Ronaldo sent the ball into the Uzbekistan national team’s net.
This goal was the Portuguese star’s first at the 2026 World Cup and a historic moment for world soccer.
Ronaldo became the first player to score goals in six different World Cups. He has scored at the World Cups in:
- 2006;
- 2010;
- 2014;
- 2018;
- 2022;
- 2026
No other soccer player has ever achieved such a scoring record in six consecutive World Cups.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice
The captain of the Portuguese national team didn’t stop at just one goal. In the 39th minute, Ronaldo found the back of the net against Uzbekistan for the second time, scoring a brace.
With his second goal, his total World Cup tally rose to ten.
With this, Ronaldo surpassed the legendary Eusébio, who scored nine goals at the 1966 World Cup. Cristiano is now Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
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Portugal scored five goals against Uzbekistan
The Portuguese national team completely controlled the match and left their opponents virtually no chance.
In addition to Ronaldo’s two goals, Nuno Mendes scored for Portugal on a free kick. Another goal found its way into Uzbekistan’s net via an own goal, and Rafael Leão sealed the final score.
As a result, Portugal won 5–0 and earned four points after two rounds of the group stage.
In their first World Cup match, Roberto Martínez’s team drew 1–1 with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ronaldo ended his long goal drought
Before the match against Uzbekistan, the Portuguese star had been criticized for his lackluster performance in the first round.
Ronaldo had gone ten matches without scoring in the knockout stages of major international tournaments. His two goals against Uzbekistan allowed him to end that streak and silence doubts about his place in the starting lineup.
After the match, the forward emotionally announced his return, but at the same time emphasized that the team’s result is more important to him than personal records.
Another all-time record for Ronaldo
This isn’t the Portuguese star’s first historic achievement at the 2026 World Cup.
In the first-round match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ronaldo started the game at the age of 41 years and 132 days. He became the oldest field player in history to start a World Cup match from the opening minutes.
The previous record was held by Canadian Atibi Hutchinson, who started a match at the 2022 World Cup at the age of 39 years and 296 days.
After scoring against Uzbekistan, Ronaldo also became the second-oldest goal scorer in World Cup history. The only player older than him at the time of his goal was Cameroon’s Roger Milla.
Ronaldo and Messi have played in six World Cups
The 2026 World Cup marked the sixth in Cristiano Ronaldo’s career. Argentina captain Lionel Messi has also achieved this feat.
However, Ronaldo remains the only player to have scored in each of his six World Cups.
Messi failed to score at the 2010 World Cup, although he set another historic record at the 2026 tournament. After scoring twice against Austria, the Argentine brought his World Cup goal total to 18 and became the all-time leading scorer in the history of the men’s World Cup.
How many goals has Ronaldo scored for Portugal?
After scoring twice against Uzbekistan, Ronaldo’s tally reached 145 goals in 230 matches for the national team.
He remains the record-holder in men’s international soccer for both the number of goals scored for the national team and the number of matches played.
In total, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 975 goals in his career.
Despite being 41 years old, the forward continues to perform at the highest level and is helping Portugal compete for the World Cup title.
When will Portugal play its next match?
In the final match of the group stage, Portugal will face Colombia.
A win will guarantee the Portuguese a spot in the next round from a high position in the group. After two losses, it will be difficult for Uzbekistan to continue their campaign in their debut World Cup.
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