Ronaldo Brace Makes History: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 at NRG Stadium, becoming the first player to score at six World Cups.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 at NRG Stadium in Houston on Tuesday 23 June. The opener arrived in the sixth minute from a João Cancelo cross. The second came in the 39th. Ronaldo, 41, became the first player in history to score at six different World Cups. He is also now the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history, behind Cameroon's Roger Milla in 1994. Nuno Mendes, an Uzbekistan own goal and Rafael Leão completed the rout.
Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 at NRG Stadium in Houston on 23 June 2026 in their second 2026 World Cup Group K match. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice (6', 39'), becoming the first player to score at six different World Cups. Nuno Mendes (free-kick), an Uzbekistan own goal and Rafael Leão added the other three.
How did Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in the World Cup?
Portugal opened with a settled performance after a frustrating 1-1 draw with DR Congo on Day 7. Ronaldo gave them the lead in the sixth minute, finishing from close range after a João Cancelo cross from the right. Uzbekistan struggled to live with the tempo from the opening 15 minutes.
The second arrived in the 39th. Ronaldo struck again to put Portugal 2-0 up before half-time. Nuno Mendes then curled in a free-kick that took the game out of Uzbekistan's reach before the break. Roberto Martínez's side were 3-0 up at half-time and never under pressure.
Nematov added an own goal in the second half to push it to 4-0. Rafael Leão finished off the rout with the fifth. Portugal moved to four points in Group K after the result and are closing in on a knockout spot. Colombia and DR Congo contest the rest of the qualification picture.
Ronaldo becomes first player to score at six World Cups
Ronaldo's first goal made history. At 41 years and 138 days, he became the first player in the men's competition to score at six different World Cups, having previously found the net in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. It is the most distinct-tournament scoring record in the men's game.
The second goal made him the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history. The all-time mark belongs to Cameroon's Roger Milla, who scored against Russia in 1994 at 42 years and 39 days. Ronaldo would need to play the 2030 tournament to challenge that record, which he has confirmed he will not.
His career international totals continue to extend. Ronaldo went into this tournament as the all-time leading men's international scorer with 143 goals, and the brace against Uzbekistan adds to it. Signed Cristiano Ronaldo memorabilia is part of the authenticated catalogue at MVPs.
What Portugal's win means for the knockouts and Ronaldo's collectors
Portugal play Colombia on Saturday 27 June at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in their final group game. A win or draw confirms them in the knockouts. The 5-0 against Uzbekistan also gives Portugal one of the strongest goal differences in their group.
For Ronaldo collectors, the brace lifted every Ronaldo Portugal jersey in the market. The six-tournament scoring record is the kind of milestone collectors track in real time, and signed memorabilia from a player's final World Cup window tends to appreciate as the tournament narrative develops. Ronaldo has confirmed this is his last World Cup. Every signed item from these matches is part of the closing chapter of his international career.