▲ Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating after scoring a goal
The Portuguese national football team has recorded its first victory of the 2026 World Cup in North America, alongside a historic milestone for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), who became the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments.
On Wednesday (June 24), Portugal crushed Uzbekistan 5-0 in their second Group K match of the World Cup group stage, held at Houston Stadium in Texas, USA, powered by a brace from Ronaldo.
Portugal, which had suffered a blow to its pride after a 1-1 draw with underdogs Democratic Republic of the Congo in their first match on June 18, accumulated 4 points to take the temporary lead in the group, ahead of Colombia (3 points), which has yet to play its second match.
Uzbekistan, the first Central Asian nation to reach the World Cup finals, suffered its second consecutive defeat after feeling the full force of title contenders Portugal.
Portugal, which once again started Ronaldo up front despite criticism over his poor performance in the match against DR Congo, went on the offensive from the very beginning.
Just two minutes into the match, Bruno Fernandes' left-footed finish from a pass delivered from the right flank was blocked by a diving Uzbek defender. Two minutes later, Ronaldo tried to connect with an accurate cross from Nuno Mendes, but failed to make clean contact.
After missing that opportunity, Ronaldo finally found the back of the net in the sixth minute of the first half.
He scored the opening goal with a one-touch finish from a low cross delivered by João Cancelo from the right flank.
With this, Ronaldo became the first player in World Cup history to score in six different tournaments.
Having participated in every World Cup since the 2006 tournament in Germany, Ronaldo has scored in each edition, netting his ninth career World Cup goal.
Ronaldo, who also set the record for the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history (41 years and 138 days), behind Cameroon's Roger Milla (42 years and 39 days), celebrated with his trademark "Siu" celebration.
Portugal took complete control of the early stages when Mendes scored an additional goal in the 17th minute of the first half with a free kick from the penalty arc.
Uzbekistan, which increased its attacking frequency after the hydration break, seemed to signal a comeback when Azizjon Ganiev's long-range shot found the back of the net in the 29th minute of the first half.
However, the goal was disallowed after an on-field review by the referee confirmed that Abbosbek Fayzullaev had fouled Cancelo in the buildup.
Portugal made it 3-0 in the 39th minute of the first half with Ronaldo's second goal.
Receiving a pass from Fernandes while rushing forward on a counterattack, Ronaldo calmly slotted a right-footed shot into the far corner from the right side of the penalty area, noticing the goalkeeper had come off his line.
Achieving his 10th career World Cup goal, Ronaldo surpassed the legendary Eusébio (9 goals) to become the sole all-time leading World Cup goalscorer for Portugal.
Ronaldo continued to actively search for goals afterward but fell short of a hat-trick, including an incident in the 13th minute of the second half where he collided with the opposing goalkeeper and fell while attempting a right-footed shot after running into the center of the penalty area during a free kick.
Portugal sealed the victory early in the 15th minute of the second half when Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvakhid Nematov scored an own goal during a corner kick.
In the 42nd minute of the second half, Rafael Leão scored the fifth goal, allowing Portugal to celebrate a complete victory.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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