Ronaldo scores at sixth World Cup as Portugal hit Uzbekistan for five

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score at six World Cup tournaments on Tuesday when his brace helped Portugal to a thumping 5-0 victory over debutants Uzbekistan.

Ronaldo, 41, reached the milestone in the sixth minute off João Cancelo‘s cross and struck again in the 39th from Bruno Fernandes‘ pinpoint through ball.

Nuno Mendes converted a free-kick in-between in the 17th when Portugal fooled everyone because Ronaldo had been expected to execute it. An own goal from Abdukodir Khusanov on the hour and substitute Rafael Leão into into the top corner in the 87th warpped up matters.

Portugal rebounded strongly from their opening 1-1 draw against Democratic Republic of Congo to go top in Group K for the time being. They can be dethroned by Colombia who face Congo later in the day. Uzbekistan are bottom with zero points.

Ronaldo has 10 goals overall across the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 tournaments as he claimed the national tournament record from the legendary Eusebio who has nine.

At 41 years 138 days, Ronaldo is the second-oldest scorer in tournament history, with only Cameroon’s Roger Milla ahead on 42 years 39 days.

Ronaldo was playing his 24th World Cup match and alongside Argentina captain Lionel Messi is playing at a record sixth World Cup.

Messi has a record 28 World Cup matches and set a goal record on Monday for now 18 in total since 2006. But Messi has not scored at all tournaments, drawing a blank in 2010.

Ronaldo’s overall numbers are 145 goals from 230 caps, both world records, as he finally joined Messi (five goals), Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland (four each) and Harry Kane (two) on the superstar tournament scoresheet, with Kane playing his second match later Tuesday.