Cristiano Ronaldo made history.
Portugal’s star striker has become the first player to score in six different World Cups with his goal against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
João Cancelo sent the ball into the box from the right side, just slightly behind Ronaldo, and the former Real Madrid star drilled the ball nearside to put Portugal up 1-0.
Ronaldo would tally another goal in the 39th minute as Portugal was cruising to a 4-0 lead against Uzbekistan.
Ronaldo was highly criticized after a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in the first game of the tournament, after having 25 touches and three shots, none of which were on target.
“It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. “Heads up and focus on the next game.”
The criticism only rose when the players he is often compared to — Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland — all have at least four goals so far this tournament.
Controversy over whether the 41-year-old Ronaldo was fit enough and in good enough form to start at the tournament has plagued him dating back to the 2022 World Cup.
“We know what Ronaldo has done for our national team, but at this moment I feel that for him, and for everyone, he’s one of us,” Portuguese teammate Joao Neves said. “He’s one more player trying to help, he’s no different to the others. He’s here to contribute as we all will.”
Nonetheless, Ronaldo proved his doubters wrong, breaking yet another record and scoring again in the 40th minute.
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The striker’s first World Cup was in 2006, when he scored one goal over 482 minutes played. He added one goal in each of the 2010, 2014, and 2022 World Cups as well.
At the peak of his powers, Ronaldo scored four in the 2018 World Cup thanks to a hat trick against Spain.