HOUSTON, United States — Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player in history to score in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, netting a brace in Portugal’s dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group K match at the 2026 World Cup.
The 41-year-old Portuguese captain opened the scoring in the sixth minute, sweeping in a low half-volley at the near post from Joao Cancelo’s cross from the right. He then added his second in the 39th minute, receiving a perfectly weighted through ball from Bruno Fernandes and calmly sliding his finish into the bottom-left corner.
Ronaldo’s goals extended his World Cup tally to 10, surpassing Eusébio to become Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament. He also became the second-oldest player to score in a World Cup, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who was 42 when he scored at the 1994 tournament.
The scoring streak began on his debut in 2006, and he has since netted in every edition: 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026. While Lionel Messi has also appeared in six World Cups, he failed to score in the 2010 tournament, making Ronaldo the sole player to achieve this remarkable feat.
Portugal’s victory also featured goals from Nuno Mendes, an own goal, and Rafael Leao, propelling the team to the top of Group K with four points from two matches.
