Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics in spectacular fashion, becoming the first player to score in six World Cups while netting twice in Portugal’s emphatic 5-0 Group K thrashing of Uzbekistan in Houston.
Ronaldo’s first goal in the sixth minute was a neat finish from six yards at the near post as he converted Joao Cancelo’s low cross. The clearly relieved striker raced to the sidelines after opening his account where his teammates mobbed in the celebrations.
Defender Nuno Mendes then scored a superb free kick, fooling Uzbekistan keeper Abduvohid Nematov and the entire stadium, by taking the set piece while Ronaldo acted as a decoy.
Ronaldo then scored again after placing Bruno Fernandes’ perfect pass into the far corner to the delight of the Portugal players and fans.
In the second half an unfortunate Nematov fumbled the ball into his own net and Rafael Leao added a late fifth in front of a full house of 68,777 fans as Portugal controlled play but stepped off the pedal slightly with the game in hand.
Portugal, who have four points from two games, face Colombia in their final Group K match, while Uzbekistan, teetering on the brink of elimination with no points, play DR Congo in their last outing.
“The team performed really well and improved a lot,” Ronaldo said. “As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Obviously, speaking personally, records are always nice but my goal is always to help the national team achieve its objectives.”
Latest World Cup results
Jordan 1-2 Algeria
Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan.
