!role~Preview!mt~photo!fmt~JPEG%2520Baseline&w=3840&q=75)
Full story
Ronaldo’s Portugal rebound
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston on Tuesday, becoming the first player to score in six World Cups.
“Ronaldo becomes first player to score in six World Cups with two goals against Uzbekistan Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments on Tuesday by getting two goals in Portugal's match against Uzbekistan”
The Guardian said Ronaldo savoured the end of a “difficult, dark week” after scoring twice, following Portugal’s flat draw against Democratic Republic of the Congo.
NBC News’ live updates said Ronaldo scored his first and second goals of the World Cup as Portugal won 5-0, while England and Ghana played to a scoreless draw.
CNN reported Ronaldo became the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup tournaments after tallying two goals on Tuesday, and the question shifted to whether the 41-year-old can lead his country to a world title.
Messi, captaincy, and debate
Ronaldo’s post-match stance drew attention as Complex quoted him saying, “Next question,” when a reporter began referencing Lionel Messi’s historic performances.
The Guardian also quoted Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez praising Ronaldo as a “perfect captain,” while CNN’s Don Riddell framed the broader storyline around Ronaldo’s record and the possibility of a world title.
NBC News’ live coverage placed the tournament context alongside other matches, noting “Yesterday, Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer at the World Cup.”
In Houston, ABC13 Houston described Ronaldo’s goals coming after he was criticized for failing to score in Portugal’s 1-1 draw against Congo in the team’s opening match.
What comes next
NBC News said Portugal moved on after the Uzbekistan match, and it listed the next group-stage fixture as Portugal vs Colombia on June 27 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
“For all the bluster around the matter, it has long since passed the point where Cristiano Ronaldo making Portugal worse has been noteworthy”
The Guardian reported that Ronaldo’s brace and Portugal’s 5-0 win could “ignite hopes that Portugal can become genuine contenders,” with Ronaldo saying, “If we are united, I think we can go very far.”
USA Today tied the performance to a turnaround after criticism from Portugal’s opening 1-1 draw against Congo on June 17, noting Ronaldo faced a “firestorm of criticism” before scoring twice against Uzbekistan.
ABC13 Houston added that Ronaldo’s goals gave him 10 career goals in the tournament, while it also referenced Messi’s 18 goals after a hat trick in Argentina’s opener against Algeria and two more goals Monday against Austria.
