Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as a hero when he successfully ended his goal drought in a major tournament, scoring two goals in the first half to lead Portugal to a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the 2026 World Cup Group F match at Houston Stadium.
History Made
Ronaldo became the first player to score in six different World Cup editions, surpassing the previous record shared by several legends. This performance also ended his goal drought in 10 previous major tournament matches since Euro 2020.
"I'm back," Ronaldo shouted towards the camera after the match, relieving many fans who doubted his sharpness. Portuguese coach Roberto Martínez acknowledged the relief of seeing his star return to form.
"I asked him whether this is talent or hard work," said Martínez. "There is no better judge of someone's career than their longevity in football."
Match Action
Ronaldo's first goal came in the 19th minute with a powerful finish from close range after receiving a cross from João Cancelo. It was his first goal in the World Cup since 2018, ending a drought of 669 minutes in major competitions.
The second goal came in the 35th minute when Bruno Fernandes passed the ball to Ronaldo, who headed it in from a difficult angle. Fernandes was also involved in Portugal's third goal, as his corner kick hit several players before beating the Uzbek goalkeeper.
Rafael Leão closed the victory with the fifth goal in the 80th minute, but the night belonged to Ronaldo, who almost completed a hat-trick several times.
Uzbekistan Too Weak
Uzbekistan, making their first-ever World Cup appearance, could not match Portugal's speed and quality. The Central Asian team managed only a few attempts but failed to test the Portuguese goalkeeper throughout the match.
Next Challenge
This big win placed Portugal at the top of the group with six points, but the real challenge is expected in the knockout stage. Ronaldo and his teammates will face tougher opponents, possibly including Argentina led by Lionel Messi.
"We need to stay focused," said Ronaldo. "The journey is still long."
This result is certainly a joy for millions of Ronaldo fans around the world, but the question of whether he can maintain this performance against elite teams remains unanswered.
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*Original source: [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/23/portugal-uzbekistan-world-cup-group-k-match-report)*