Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 in their 2026 World Cup Group K match, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice in the first half. The 41-year-old forward opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a first-time strike to the near post, becoming the first player to register goals in six FIFA World Cup tournaments. Ronaldo added his second in the 28th minute with another first-time finish to the bottom far corner, taking his World Cup goal tally to 10 and surpassing Eusebio as Portugal's all-time leading scorer in the competition. Nuno Mendes scored a low free kick before and after Ronaldo's goals, giving Portugal a 3-0 lead at half-time — the first time the team has scored three goals in the first half of a World Cup match. In the second half, Abduvakhid Nematov deflected a cross into his own net before Rafael Leao added a fifth with a composed finish. Ronaldo missed two late opportunities to complete his hat-trick, one saved by the goalkeeper and another failing to connect on target in stoppage time. The victory lifted Portugal to four points from two matches in Group K. They will face Colombia in their final group match, with progression to the knockout stage and the position of group winner still to be decided.
Ronaldo's return to scoring form comes after failing to find the net in Portugal's opening match against DR Congo, yet he still managed to break two major records in one half. His two goals not only made him the first player to score in six World Cups but also moved him past Eusebio as Portugal's top scorer in the tournament's history. Nuno Mendes outscoring Ronaldo in first-half contributions during this match adds a subtle layer to the team's attacking dynamics. Portugal's reliance on a 41-year-old to deliver in key moments raises questions about their long-term offensive strategy ahead of the knockout phase.
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