Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, delivered a standout performance on Tuesday night, leading Portugal to a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan and silencing critics who had questioned his form in recent matches.
Ronaldo scored twice, becoming the first player in history to score at six different World Cup tournaments. The goals also lifted him to 10 career World Cup goals, moving him past Portuguese legend Eusébio, who had held the national record with nine.
The match produced another milestone as Ronaldo became the oldest player ever to score a brace in a World Cup game. The article said the performance reinforced the view that the veteran forward remains central to Portugal's ambitions in the 2026 tournament.
The game was played on June 23, 2026. Portugal's win over Uzbekistan was presented as a clear statement that the team intends to push through the competition, with Ronaldo's record-breaking night headlining the tournament coverage.