Cristiano Ronaldo made a resounding comeback in the 2026 World Cup, scoring two goals in Portugal's 5-0 triumph over Uzbekistan. This performance came after a heavily criticized outing in their opening 1-1 draw against Congo. The 41-year-old Ronaldo, who coach Roberto Martínez staunchly defended and kept in the starting lineup despite calls for his benching, scored in the sixth minute and again in the 39th minute. These goals marked a significant achievement, making him the first player ever to score in six different World Cup tournaments.
Ronaldo's first goal ended a four-match goalless streak for Portugal and a 10-game drought in major tournaments. His second goal, assisted by Bruno Fernandes, further solidified Portugal's lead, which was also boosted by Nuno Mendes' free-kick goal in the 17th minute, an own-goal in the 60th minute, and Rafael Leão's strike in the 87th minute. Ronaldo was named man of the match for his pivotal role in the victory, which brought Portugal's Group K points total to four.
The win was crucial for Portugal, silencing critics who questioned Ronaldo's inclusion and overall effectiveness after his "forgettable" performance against Congo, where he had only 25 touches and no shots on target. Coach Martínez's decision to stick with Ronaldo, praising him as a "role model" and an "iconic player," was vindicated by the superstar's dual strikes. This performance also saw Ronaldo become the oldest player to score a brace in the tournament's history, surpassing Lionel Messi's recent record. Portugal's next match is against Colombia, while Uzbekistan will face Congo.
