Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has bounced back from his goal draught in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, as he netted two goals for Portugal in the first half of Tuesday’s group match against Uzbekistan.
As at end of the first half, Portugal was ahead with three goals to nothing.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has scored a total of 10 career World Cup goals in his 24 tournament appearances across six different editions (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026).
His World Cup goals are broken down by tournament as follows:2006 Germany: 1 goal (vs. IR Iran) 2010 South Africa: 1 goal (vs. Korea DPR) 2014 Brazil: 1 goal (vs. Ghana) 2018 Russia: 4 goals (Hat-trick vs. Spain, 1 vs. Morocco) 2022 Qatar: 1 goal (vs. Ghana)
2026 USA/Mexico/Canada: 2 goal (vs. Uzbekistan) Milestones & Trivia All-Time Record: With his goal against Uzbekistan in the 2026 tournament, Ronaldo made history by becoming the first male player to score in six different FIFA World Cups.
Knockout Stages: All 9 of his World Cup goals have been scored during the group stage. All-Time Leaderboard: While Ronaldo’s tally places him on an elite list, the all-time men’s World Cup goal scoring record is held by Lionel Messi (18 goals).
Meanwhile, Ronaldo finally found the goal he had been searching for, as his team pummeled Uzbekistan 5-0 in the match.
Reacting quickest to a Joao Cancelo cutback, he darted ahead of his marker and bundled home the finish that put Portugal’s World Cup campaign back on track.
The release of tension was impossible to miss from the stands. Relief and defiance flashed across the impassive face of the veteran as he sprinted towards the bench in celebration.
Arms outstretched, he embraced teammates and staff, a response directed as much at his critics as the crowd.
Mendes doubled Portugal’s advantage soon after, whipping a free kick through a gap in the Uzbek barrier.
It was a goal that would have left Fabio Cannavaro, the last defender to win the Ballon d’Or, unimpressed with the composition of his defensive wall.
Portugal now have four points from two matches.
In the other match played late Tuesday, African representatives, Ghana held England to a goalless draw.
England coach Thomas Tuchel admitted his team had lacked a cutting edge in a frustrating 0-0 draw with Ghana on Tuesday but insisted there were plenty of positive signs going forward in its quest to win the World Cup.