Ronaldo responds – After heavy criticism tied to Portugal’s 1-1 opener against Congo on June 17, Cristiano Ronaldo helped turn the next match into a statement—scoring twice as Portugal routed Uzbekistan 5-0 on Tuesday.
When the match clock hit the sixth minute on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo did not just find a goal—he stamped his name into World Cup history again. Portugal steamrolled Uzbekistan 5-0, and the rout began with a strike that made the forward the first player to score in six different World Cups.
At 41 years old, Ronaldo added another layer to the moment: he is the oldest non-goalkeeper to start a World Cup game. His first goal was his ninth career World Cup goal and his first since he converted a penalty kick during Portugal’s 2022 opening match against Ghana.
The day’s performance arrived after a difficult stretch that turned into public pressure. Ronaldo had faced heavy criticism for his June 17 showing in Portugal’s 1-1 draw against Congo. a result that put the team—and the forward—under a harsh spotlight. By the time Portugal surged past Uzbekistan, the mood had swung sharply.
The scoring spree continued after Ronaldo’s early strike. He added a second goal in the 39th minute, as Portugal rolled toward a convincing win. His celebration, familiar to fans, came as part of the overall momentum that left Uzbekistan chasing for the remaining minutes.
Postmatch, Ronaldo framed the week as a test of perseverance rather than a question of form. “I knew that God helps those who work. I knew my teammates were going to help as well. It was a difficult week, a dark week. It felt like I was already retired from football,” Ronaldo said. “But I held on, as I always do, because I believe more in hard work than in anything else. It was difficult … I have to confess, but we are back.”.
There’s another reason Tuesday’s game landed with extra weight: Ronaldo is in what he is aiming to be his final World Cup run. He is making his record sixth World Cup appearance. and the championship remains the only title missing from his storied career. His role with Portugal has changed as he has gotten older. but the central question has stayed the same—whether he still has “magic” left for one last charge.
With Tuesday’s two goals, Ronaldo’s international numbers moved again. Entering the 2026 World Cup, the 41-year-old had scored 143 goals in 228 international matches. His goals against Uzbekistan brought him to 145 international goals in 229 games.
What unfolded across minutes—criticism tied to an earlier draw on June 17. then a fast start on Tuesday with a historic sixth-World-Cup goal—turned uncertainty into something measurable on the scoreboard. The match itself ended 5-0. but for Ronaldo. the message was delivered in real time: he stayed in the fight long enough for the performance people had doubted to arrive.
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 Ronaldo criticism Congo draw June 17 Portugal vs Uzbekistan 5-0 international goals