Cristiano Ronaldo breaks record by becoming the first player to score at six World Cup tournaments as his brace helps Portugal to a thumping 5-0 victory over debutants Uzbekistan.
In a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan, Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his detractors and became the first player to score in six World Cup campaigns.
Portugal’s significant victory in Houston on Tuesday was a decisive reaction to the 41-year-old’s detractors and put him on the verge of the knockout stages. After six minutes, Ronaldo scored at six World Cups dating back to 2006, making history and surpassing even Lionel Messi.
In front of 68,777 spectators, the former star of Juventus, Real Madrid, and Manchester United took out his signature “siu” celebration and let out a throaty yell. Six minutes before halftime, Ronaldo scored his second goal with a crisp finish after Nuno Mendes had made it 2-0.
New Record
As a result, he scored more goals in the World Cup than any other Portuguese player, even the legendary Eusebio. Ronaldo had the most goals in international men’s football going into the group match against Uzbekistan, who were making their tournament debut.
But once widely regarded as a competitor to Argentina’s Messi for the unofficial title of world’s best player, he has seen his powers go on the wane at the highest level.
He had limited service in the disappointing 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to start Portugal’s World Cup title bid.
But when he did have two chances, he missed the target, igniting calls for coach Roberto Martinez to drop him.
His travails in front of goal were in glaring contrast to the likes of Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, who all made lightning starts to the World Cup.
But Martinez has stuck defiantly by his skipper, who was given a rapturous reception when he came out to warm up at Houston Stadium in Texas in the US, and again each time he appeared on the big screens.
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