Ronaldo's double helps Portugal thrash Uzbekistan 5-0 in World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to become Portugal's all-time top scorer in World Cup finals, leading his team to a 5-0 victory over tournament debutants Uzbekistan.
Portugal cruised to a 5-0 victory over World Cup debutants Uzbekistan in Group K on Tuesday. The Portuguese took an early lead, with João Cancelo providing a precise cross from the right flank in the sixth minute. Cristiano Ronaldo, positioned in the same spot where he missed in the previous match, this time slotted the ball into the near post to open the scoring. Shortly after, Nuno Mendes scored directly from a free kick to double the lead.
Uzbekistan refused to give up and increased pressure after a water break. In the 29th minute, Azizjon Ganiev dispossessed a Portuguese player and struck the ball into the net, but VAR intervened, and the referee disallowed the goal due to a foul. Portugal maintained control and launched a swift counterattack in the 39th minute. Bruno Fernandes set up Ronaldo, who beat the goalkeeper with a precise shot into the far corner, making it 3-0.
After the break, Portugal continued to dominate. In the 60th minute, a corner kick led to chaos in the box, and after several deflections, the ball went in for the fourth goal. Late in the game, Rafael Leão added a fifth, sealing the emphatic 5-0 win.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s two goals made him the all-time leading Portuguese scorer in World Cup finals, surpassing the legendary Eusébio. He also became the first player in history to score in six different World Cup tournaments. With this victory, Portugal tops Group K and will face Colombia on June 28. Later tonight, Colombia takes on DR Congo at 5:00.
