Cristiano Ronaldo makes FIFA World Cup history after scoring goal in Portugal vs Uzbekistan clash

Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics in style on Tuesday by scoring his first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping Portugal seize early lead in their second Group K fixture against Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday.

LIVE | Portugal vs Uzbekistan, FIFA World Cup Group K match in Houston

Ronaldo had produced an underwhelming performance in Portugal's World Cup opener against DR Congo at the same venue last week, but bounced back on Tuesday – producing two chances in the first 10 minutes after kickoff and finding the back of the net on the second opportunity. The Al-Nassr star beat Uzbekistani keeper Abduvohid Nematov to his left after firing the ball past him with a powerful right-footed shot off a Joao Cancelo assist.

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Ronaldo surpasses Messi, becomes first player to achieve unique feat

Ronaldo thus became the first player in the history in the history of the FIFA World Cup to score at least one goal in six different editions of football's showpiece event. He had made his World Cup debut along with Argentina icon and arch-rival Lionel Messi in the 2006 edition. Messi, however, had not scored a single goal in the 2010 edition.

Ronaldo also became only the third player alongside Messi and Denmark's Michael Laudrup to have the distinction of being the youngest and oldest World Cup scorers for their nation. He also surpassed Portuguese legendary forward Eusebio to become the leading goalscorer for Portugal in World Cups.

Messi had on Monday become the leading goal-scorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose after scoring a brace against Austria in Dallas. Ronaldo, who has shared a storied rivalry with Messi spanning nearly two decades, was not to be left behind and pulled off a historic feat of his own the very next day.

Portugal, meanwhile, doubled their lead a little over the World Cup debutants just 10 minutes later with Nuno Mendes scoring off a Free Kick. Ronaldo appeared to take the set piece initially, with the crowd expecting the former Real Madrid and Manchester United icon to join Messi, Kylian Mbappe and other leading names with two or more goals in a match in the ongoing tournament.

Ronaldo turned out to be the decoy with Paris Saint-Germain left-back firing the ball past Nematov with a left-footed strike.

'CR7', however, would complete his brace shortly before half-time, scoring from open play this time and producing a neat finish towards the far post from the right edge of the penalty area.