Cristiano Ronaldo: “It’s Always Nice to Break Records” After Historic World Cup Brace

Cristiano Ronaldo scores in 6th World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo makes history with 10th World Cup goal in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan.

Cristiano Ronaldo silences critics with brace after “dark week” in 5-0 Portugal win...

Cristiano Ronaldo made history as the first player to score across six different World Cups, then quieted his critics after “a dark week” by netting twice as Portugal crushed Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston on Tuesday.

The dominant win leaves Portugal one step from the knockout stage and served as a strong answer to everyone who doubted the 41-year-old.

Ronaldo’s strike in the 6th minute set a new record - going one better than Lionel Messi - as he scored at six straight World Cups dating back to 2006.

The ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star broke out his iconic “Siu” celebration and let out a fierce roar for the 68,777 fans in Houston.

Once Nuno Mendes made it 2-0, Ronaldo added his second with a calm finish just six minutes before halftime.

That goal put him on 10 World Cup goals total - more than any other Portugal player, including legend Eusébio.

Ronaldo was heard saying, “I'm back, I'm back,” and later told broadcasters: “It's always nice to break records, but my goal is to help the national team achieve its objectives.”

He added: “It was a difficult week, a dark week. It seemed like I was already retired from football.

“But I held on, as always, because I believe more in hard work than in anything else.

“It was hard, I have to admit it, but we're back.”

Ronaldo entered the group match against World Cup newcomers Uzbekistan with 143 international goals - the most ever in men’s football.

Though he was once seen as Messi’s rival for the title of best player in the world, his influence at the very top level has clearly dipped.

He barely got any service in Portugal’s underwhelming 1-1 opener against the Democratic Republic of Congo as their World Cup campaign got underway.

But on the rare occasions he got chances, he failed to hit the target - and that sparked calls for coach Roberto Martinez to bench him.

His struggles in front of goal stood out sharply compared to Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, who all hit the ground running at the World Cup.

Still, Martinez stood firm behind his captain. Ronaldo got a huge reception when he came out to warm up at Houston Stadium, and the crowd roared again every time he showed up on the big screens.

Ronaldo’s day

Ronaldo almost struck after just 3 minutes, but couldn’t quite connect at the back post from a Mendes cross. He hit the ground in frustration.

Cristiano Ronaldo responded 🙂‍↕️ pic.twitter.com/keBAekAQ8l

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 23, 2026

He didn’t have to wait much longer for his goal, turning sharply on the 6-yard box to volley home a first-time cross from Joao Cancelo and beat keeper Abduvohid Nematov.

The outmatched Uzbeks, led by 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, were exactly the kind of opponents Ronaldo needed to find his scoring touch again.

Portugal made it 2-0 in the 17th minute when Mendes bent in a free-kick.

Uzbekistan thought they’d scored when Azizjon Ganiev smashed in a screamer, but VAR stepped in and disallowed it for a foul on Cancelo.

It really was Ronaldo’s day. He made it 3-0 for Portugal by slotting home calmly with only the keeper to beat.

Cristiano Ronaldo: The first man to score at six #FIFAWorldCup tournaments pic.twitter.com/i6IxCcXl8o

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 23, 2026

He nearly completed his hat-trick after a slick free-kick routine, but Nematov got to the ball first and crashed into the veteran forward.

From the corner that followed, Portugal made it 4-0, with Ronaldo right in the middle of the action before the ball ricocheted off Nematov for an own goal.

Rafael Leao came off the bench and wrapped it up with a powerful fifth in the 87th minute.

Up to this point, the case against Ronaldo had been building fast.

In the 10 major tournament games before the Uzbekistan match - World Cups and Euros combined - he had no goals and just one assist.

CR7.#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/jDeHZaEA3c

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 23, 2026

He did find his scoring touch with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia though, bagging 28 goals in 30 league matches last season.

Portugal wrap up their group stage on Saturday against Colombia, who beat Uzbekistan 3-1.

Colombia face DR Congo later Tuesday in Group K, and a win would send them straight through to the round of 32.