HOUSTON: Cristiano Ronaldo led from the front as Portugal crushed Uzbekistan 5-0 in the Group K FIFA World Cup 2026 clash at the Houston Stadium on Tuesday.
Coming into the match on the back of criticism, Ronaldo delivered an emphatic performance, scoring a brace followed by goals from Nuno Mendes, A. Nematov, and Rafael Leão to cap off a dominant display.
The Al-Nassr striker’s goal in the seventh minute made him the second-oldest player in World Cup history to score. At 41 years and 138 days, Ronaldo is now only behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla in 1994, who scored against Russia at 42 years and 39 days.
Portugal enjoyed 67 percent possession and dominated throughout the game with 17 shots on target. Ronaldo opened the scoring with a goal in the seventh minute, finishing off a perfect cross from Cancelo to score.
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The lead extended when PSG forward Nuno Mendes curled into the bottom corner, using impressive tactics to fool the goalkeeper.
The Navigators continued to dominate as Cristiano Ronaldo capped off a brilliant finish from Bruno Fernandes in the 39th minute to send it into the far corner and make it 3-0 before halftime.
The second half started on a scruffy note as both teams remained careless in possession. It was in the 60th minute, when White Wolves’ woes compounded, courtesy of an own goal coming off Abdukodir Khusanov.
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AC Milan forward Rafael Leão finished the match in style, scoring in the 87th minute, finishing off a good run from right-back Nelson Semedo and scoring a goal.
Portugal will play Colombia next on 28 June, whereas Uzbekistan will eye a spot in the last 32 with a win over DR Congo on the same day.
READ: Cristiano Ronaldo enters record books with goal against Uzbekistan
