Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return to World Cup scoring with two goals as Portugal secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Wednesday at NRG Stadium in Houston. The 41-year-old forward ended a five-year scoring drought for Portugal in major tournaments, netting in the sixth minute and again later in the match to underline his enduring presence on football’s biggest stage.
Ronaldo’s first goal came just one day after Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s highest all-time scorer, highlighting their ongoing rivalry. By scoring in this tournament, Ronaldo extended his record as the only player to find the net in six different World Cups, surpassing Messi by one. His previous World Cup goal dated back to 2006, illustrating remarkable longevity in international football.
The veteran striker expressed relief and determination after the match. Speaking directly to the camera, Ronaldo declared, “I’m back, just so they don’t forget,” and described the recent period as “a difficult, dark week” during which he felt close to retirement. Yet he emphasized his resilience and readiness to contribute to Portugal’s campaign.
Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martínez, welcomed Ronaldo’s performance as a key boost after the team struggled to break down the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening group match, which ended in a goalless draw. Adjustments to the lineup saw João Felix replace Bernardo Silva in an effort to provide more creativity and unpredictability in attack, with Felix playing on the left and Pedro Neto on the right. Bruno Fernandes benefited from the increased space and Portugal’s flanks were more dynamic with João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes pushing forward effectively.
Uzbekistan, making their World Cup debut, came into the match as clear underdogs, ranked 58th globally and with only one player in Europe’s top leagues. Coached by former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro, the Uzbek defense had shown resilience in qualifying but proved no match for Portugal’s attacking prowess. The visitors briefly threatened in the first half when Azizjon Ganiev scored a spectacular goal, which was disallowed due to a foul on Cancelo in the buildup.
Portugal quickly asserted control, racing to a two-goal lead within 17 minutes, with Rafael Leão adding a third before halftime. The second half saw an own goal by Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov and a successful free kick from Nuno Mendes, contributing to Portugal’s emphatic win. Ronaldo played the full match, pressing for a hat-trick with several late chances, underscoring his commitment despite his age. At 41, he is now the second-oldest player to score in a World Cup, behind only Cameroon’s Roger Milla.
Looking ahead, Portugal faces Colombia in Miami on Saturday, a critical match that could decide the group leader in Group K. With the possibility of finishing third, depending on the outcome of the Democratic Republic of Congo versus Uzbekistan fixture, Portugal may face a challenging knockout round encounter against England. Ronaldo’s recent performance, however, offers Portugal renewed confidence as they seek to progress in the tournament.