Ronaldo scores in 6th World Cup, silences critics in Portugal's 5-0 rout
Synopsis
Written off after one quiet game, Ronaldo answered with two goals and a record no footballer has ever held — scorer in six different World Cups, at 41. The brace in Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan arrived 24 hours after Messi broke the all-time World Cup scoring record, ensuring the sport's two greatest modern icons are still rewriting history in the same tournament.
Key Takeaways
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice against Uzbekistan on Tuesday , powering Portugal to a 5-0 win at Houston Stadium .
Ronaldo became the first player in history to score in six different FIFA World Cups — 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026.
At 41 years and 138 days , he is now the second-oldest World Cup goalscorer ever , behind Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days, 1994).
The milestone came just 24 hours after Lionel Messi became the all-time highest scorer in World Cup history.
Ronaldo's brace followed a goalless, heavily criticised opening match against DR Congo .
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer in history to score in six different FIFA World Cups on Tuesday, netting twice in Portugal's commanding 5-0 demolition of Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The brace, arriving just days after a goalless and heavily criticised opening against DR Congo, delivered one of the most emphatic individual responses in recent World Cup memory.
The Goals That Rewrote History
The record-breaking opener came in the 6th minute. Joao Cancelo surged down the right flank and drilled a low cross into the penalty area, where Ronaldo was precisely where elite strikers are expected to be — he swept home calmly from close range. The second arrived in the 39th minute, doubling both Portugal's lead and Ronaldo's personal tally for the night.
The first goal alone carried historic weight: it made Ronaldo the scorer in Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and now USA-Mexico-Canada 2026 — a sequence no player before him has achieved across six tournaments.
A Record for the Ages
At 41 years and 138 days, Ronaldo also became the second-oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, behind only Roger Milla of Cameroon, who scored in 1994 at the age of 42 years and 39 days. Twenty years after making his World Cup debut as a 21-year-old, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to reach landmarks no predecessor has matched.
Notably, the milestone arrived barely 24 hours after Lionel Messi became the highest individual goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history — ensuring that football's two defining stars of the modern era continue to redefine records even in the final chapters of their careers.
From Mockery to Admiration
The backdrop made the performance all the more striking. After Portugal's goalless opener against DR Congo, social media had erupted with jokes, memes, and pointed questions about whether the 41-year-old still belonged on football's grandest stage. Critics argued that age had finally overtaken even his exceptional physical conditioning.
By the final whistle in Houston, that narrative had been comprehensively dismantled. Fan posts and pundits shifted from scepticism to tribute, with 'Ronaldo, take a bow' circulating widely online. Every sprint, every touch, and every finish appeared to carry the weight of the doubt that had followed him into the match.
Full-Time Result
Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0. The scorers: C. Ronaldo 6', 39'; N. Mendes 17'; A. Nematov 60' (OG); R. Leão 87'. The result firmly establishes Portugal's credentials in the group stage and gives Ronaldo renewed momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
Point of View
Not a lightweight — illustrated how quickly the football world collapses nuance when Ronaldo is involved. A single quiet match at 41 became an obituary; two goals in the next became a resurrection. What the cycle misses is that Ronaldo's physical output, even in the opener, was never the problem — finishing in a low-stakes moment was. More interesting than the record itself is what it reveals about the tournament: if both Ronaldo and Messi are still breaking World Cup records in 2026, the sport's next generation has yet to fully seize the stage.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Cristiano Ronaldo set at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Ronaldo became the first player in history to score in six different FIFA World Cups, netting twice against Uzbekistan on Tuesday at Houston Stadium. His six tournaments span Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and USA-Mexico-Canada 2026.
How old is Ronaldo and where does he rank among the oldest World Cup scorers?
Ronaldo is 41 years and 138 days old, making him the second-oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. Only Roger Milla of Cameroon, who scored in 1994 at 42 years and 39 days, is older.
What was the final score between Portugal and Uzbekistan?
Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0. Ronaldo scored in the 6th and 39th minutes; Nuno Mendes added a third in the 17th minute, an own goal by A. Nematov came in the 60th minute, and Rafael Leão rounded off the scoring in the 87th minute.
Why was Ronaldo under criticism before the Uzbekistan match?
Ronaldo failed to score in Portugal's opening group-stage match against DR Congo, triggering a wave of social media mockery and questions about whether the 41-year-old still had the ability to perform at the highest level. His brace against Uzbekistan comprehensively silenced those doubts.
How does Ronaldo's record relate to what Lionel Messi achieved around the same time?
Ronaldo's six-World-Cup scoring record came barely 24 hours after Lionel Messi became the highest individual goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. The near-simultaneous milestones mean both of football's defining modern stars are still breaking records in the same 2026 tournament.
