Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan: Cristiano Ronaldo makes history to spark World Cup campaign into life | OneFootball

Uzbekistan now on the brink of elimination after heavy defeat in Houston

Cristiano Ronaldo created World Cup history as Portugal beat Uzbekistan to spark their campaign into life.

Portugal’s opening game at World Cup 2026 ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo last week, with Ronaldo coming in for some criticism as a result.

However, it took all of six minutes on Tuesday evening for Ronaldo to silence his doubters as he broke the deadlock with an excellent finish and set a record by becoming the first player to score at six different World Cups.

Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao were also on target, while Uzbekistan conceded an own goal in a convincing performance by Roberto Martinez’s side.

Ronaldo was eager to get off the mark after strong starts to the tournament by fellow world stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

He had already spurned one chance as he failed to connect with a brilliant cross from Mendes, but he made no mistake when he swivelled and fired in first time at the near post from a Joao Cancelo ball.

Uzbekistan feared a Ronaldo strike from the edge of the box, but the former Real Madrid star made only the slightest movement as he allowed Mendes to run up and drive home.

Uzbekistan, managed by Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, thought they had pulled one back with a stunning strike from Azizjon Ganiev just before the half-hour. It was ruled out for a foul on Cancelo in the build-up by Abbosbek Fayzullaev.

Ronaldo compounded their frustration when he raced on to a well-weighted ball by Fernandes and finished coolly.

Ronaldo went close again just before the break as he just beat goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov to the ball, but his chip was cleared off the line.

Fayzullaev shot straight at Diogo Costa as Uzbekistan briefly threatened after the restart, but Ronaldo was denied by Nematov at the other end.

Portugal’s fourth came on the hour when a low ball into the box took a series of deflections and ended up in the net after ricocheting off Abdukodir Khusanov and Nematov.

Ronaldo forced a fine save from Nematov as he continued to chase a hat-trick and Leao completed the rout when he lashed into the roof of the net when a clearance rolled into his path.