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Ronaldo’s brace vs Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in a 2026 World Cup group-stage match in Houston, with Ronaldo’s goals coming in the sixth minute and the 39th minute.
The Goal | Western Mainstream report said Ronaldo’s second goal was the tournament’s 137th goal after 45 matches, and that the teams had scored more than 130 goals before the end of the second group-stage matchday.
El Mundo described Ronaldo as 41 years old and said he became the only footballer to score in six World Cups, adding that the match ended 5-0 for the Europeans after an own goal by Abdulvahid Nematov and a goal by Rafael Leão.
Le HuffPost said Ronaldo opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute against Uzbekistan and added a brace in the second group-stage match, bringing his total to nine World Cup goals (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026).
Records, chants, and criticism
Le HuffPost reported that the 41-year-old forward became the first player in history to score in six World Cups and that the large contingent of Portuguese supporters in Houston’s stadium “exploded with joy” and let out a powerful 'Suiii'.
RMC Sport said Ronaldo used the moment after the match to address criticisms directed at him after his “lack of impact” against DR Congo in Portugal’s 1-1 draw.
In the same RMC Sport account, Ronaldo was quoted after the final whistle saying, “Everyone thought I was retiring, but I held on,” as he responded to detractors.
CNews said Ronaldo became the first player in World Cup history to score in six editions, and it placed Portugal atop the group with 4 points ahead of its final match on Sunday against Colombia.
What’s next for Portugal
CNews said Portugal swept Uzbekistan 5-0 on Tuesday in Houston in Group K of the World Cup 2026, with Ronaldo’s brace plus goals from Nuno Mendes (17th), Abduvohid Nematov's own goal (60th) and Rafael Leao (87th).
“Head coach Didier Deschamps has been bereaved by the death of his mother and will return to France to attend her funeral, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday, noting that he will not coach Les Bleus against Norway on Friday in the final Group I match at the 2026 World Cup”
RMC Sport said Ronaldo will have one last match to play against Colombia next Sunday after Portugal’s win, with Colombia having beaten Uzbekistan last Thursday.
Goal | Western Mainstream said the figure could continue to grow because there are now 48 teams and more matches in the group stage, as Portugal’s 5-0 result fed into a tournament already surpassing the 2014 record of 136 goals in 48 matches.
El Mundo framed the immediate stakes as Portugal’s need to lift the burden from a draw with Congo, while also noting that Ronaldo’s goal “uncorked Roberto Martínez’s team” as nerves disappeared and Portugal’s onslaught looked unstoppable.
