Ronaldo Makes History with Goals in Six World Cups as Portugal Thrash Uzbekistan 5-0

Darwin, 24 June : Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name even deeper into football history on Wednesday, becoming the first player ever to score in six different FIFA World Cups as Portugal cruised to a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan.

Making his World Cup debut back in 2006, Ronaldo had already scored in each of the previous five editions of the tournament. By finding the net again in the 2026 World Cup, the 41-year-old Portuguese captain set a remarkable record that no player in football history had achieved before.

Not only did Ronaldo become the first footballer to score in six World Cups, but he also surpassed Portugal legend Eusébio to become his country’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer.

Portugal took control from the opening minutes and could have scored even earlier. Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo both missed promising opportunities before the breakthrough arrived in the sixth minute.

João Cancelo delivered a low cross into the penalty area, and Ronaldo cleverly escaped his markers before firing a precise finish into the bottom corner. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Portuguese supporters, who witnessed a historic moment in Houston.

Portugal doubled their lead in the 17th minute when Nuno Mendes struck from a free-kick. Ronaldo then added his second goal of the night in the 39th minute, collecting a pass from Fernandes and drilling a low shot into the far corner to make it 3-0.

The brace took Ronaldo’s World Cup tally to ten goals, moving him past Eusébio as Portugal’s highest scorer on football’s biggest stage.

Uzbekistan briefly thought they had pulled a goal back through a stunning long-range effort from Gavien, but VAR ruled the goal out after a foul on Cancelo during the build-up.

Ronaldo came close to completing a hat-trick before halftime when he delicately chipped the goalkeeper, only for Khusanov to clear the ball off the goal line.

Portugal continued to dominate after the break. João Félix threatened with a powerful effort, while Uzbekistan created a couple of chances through Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Shukurov, but goalkeeper Diogo Costa remained untroubled.

The fourth goal arrived in the 60th minute when pressure from Portugal forced goalkeeper Abduvokhid Nematov into an own goal following a dangerous attacking move initiated from a Bruno Fernandes corner.

Ronaldo twice went close to completing his hat-trick in the second half, but a deflected shot and a fine save from Nematov denied him a third goal.

Substitute Rafael Leão completed the rout in the 87th minute. After a cutback from Nelson Semedo was deflected into his path, Leão fired a powerful shot into the net to seal a 5-0 victory.

The emphatic win moves Portugal a significant step closer to the knockout stage, while Ronaldo’s historic night will be remembered as one of the greatest individual achievements in World Cup history.

Match Summary

Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan

Goals:

• Cristiano Ronaldo 6′, 39′
• Nuno Mendes 17′
• Abduvokhid Nematov (own goal) 60′
• Rafael Leão 87′

Key Record:
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026).