How many times has Cristiano Ronaldo's footballing obituary been written? And how many times has he replied the only way he knows — with goals? At World Cup 2026, the Portuguese great wrote another chapter of defiance: a brace to lead Portugal to a 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan, making him the first player ever to score at six different World Cups. At 41. (ESPN)
How the rout unfolded
Ronaldo struck early from close range, Nuno Mendes added a clever second from a free-kick routine, and Ronaldo completed his brace for 3-0 before the break. An Abduvohid Nematov own goal made it four, and Rafael Leão capped it on 87'. (Goal)
Why this was bigger than a result
Let's be fair: after a flat draw with DR Congo in the opener, criticism of Ronaldo grew loud. But what sets the greats apart isn't the absence of criticism — it's how they answer it. Ronaldo answered on the pitch. Scoring at six World Cups isn't just a stat; it's a testament to rare longevity, from 2006 to today.
Our take: Ronaldo doesn't chase records — they chase him. As long as he can produce nights like this, the legend's farewell isn't close. We're watching the end of an era, but an end that refuses to go quietly.
Follow Malaab Al-An for World Cup 2026's biggest moments, told beyond the numbers.