RONALDO MAKES HISTORY AGAIN: PORTUGAL THRASH UZBEKISTAN 5-0 FOR FIRST WORLD CUP 2026 WIN
41-year-old CR7 scores brace, becomes oldest player ever with 2 goals + Portugal’s all-time WC top scorer
OFFICIAL: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Portugal recorded their first victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Group K, dismantling Uzbekistan in a ruthless display.
How Portugal broke Uzbekistan down
The rout started early. In the 6th minute, Ronaldo opened the scoring from a Joao Cancelo cross. 11 minutes later, Nuno Mendes doubled the lead in the 17th minute with a brilliant free-kick.
Uzbekistan thought Azizjon had pulled one back, but the goal was ruled out after a foul on Cancelo.
Portugal struck again in the 39th minute. A Bruno Fernandes through ball found Ronaldo unmarked, and he slotted home to complete his brace and make it 3-0 before half-time.
After the hour mark, it was 4-0 as Uzbekistan’s Nematov scored an own goal. Substitute Leão put the cherry on top in the 86th minute, just 3 minutes after coming on, to seal a 5-0 win.
History made by CR7 at 41
This wasn’t just 3 points. Ronaldo rewrote the record books:
1. Oldest brace in World Cup history
Ronaldo, 41 years 138 days, is now the OLDEST player EVER to score 2 goals in a World Cup game.
All-time oldest World Cup braces:
- Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹 – 41y 138d, 2026
- Lionel Messi 🇦🇷 – 38y 363d, 2026
- Roger Milla 🇨🇲 – 38y 34d, 1990
- Olivier Giroud 🇫🇷 – 36y 53d, 2022
2. Youngest + Oldest scorer for Portugal
He’s now BOTH the youngest and oldest goalscorer in Portugal’s World Cup history. First strike at 21y 132d. Latest at 41y 138d. Two decades apart.
Only 3 players have ever done that for their country: Michael Laudrup 🇩🇰, Lionel Messi 🇦🇷, Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹.
3. Portugal’s all-time World Cup top scorer
Ronaldo’s brace took him to 10 World Cup goals, breaking Eusébio’s 60-year record of 9.
Portugal WC top scorers:
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 10 goals
- Eusébio – 9 goals
- Pauleta – 4 goals
Only 2 players 40+ have ever scored at a men’s World Cup: Roger Milla 42y 39d, 1994 and Cristiano Ronaldo 41y 138d, 2026.
Post-match, Ronaldo addressed the Messi comparisons and Portugal’s service:
“People always bring up Messi. I’ve spent my entire career dealing with comparisons. I’m chasing 1,000 career goals and only have 25 left. I’m sure I’ll hit it at this World Cup.”
Then he turned to his teammates: “Scoring becomes easier when the ball arrives. I’m making runs, calling for it, looking at Vitinha… and he’s looking somewhere else. Bruno and Cancelo found me tonight and I put it in the net. I’ve always told them: give me the ball. I’m 41, but I still have the hunger.”
Messi scored two yesterday? Congratulations. I scored today. Simple as that.”
Match Summary
Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan
Ronaldo 6’, 39’ | Mendes 17’ | Nematov 61’ OG | Leão 86’
First win secured. Records shattered. At 41, the legend isn’t done yet.