Cristiano Ronaldo declared he was “again” after beginning World Cup motion on Tuesday, saying criticism of him and his Portugal teammates was unfair.
Ronaldo made World Cup historical past as Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0, changing into the primary participant to attain in six totally different editions of FIFA’s flagship competitors.
The 41-year-old gave Portugal the lead within the sixth minute on the Houston Stadium with a deft effort to transform Joao Cancelo’s shot on the close to submit, earlier than doubling Portugal’s tally 11 minutes later with Nuno Mendes’ free-kick.
Six minutes earlier than half-time, it was 3-0, Ronaldo scored previous Abduvohid Nematov, and an hour earlier the Uzbek goalkeeper had scored an personal aim.
Rafael Leao sealed the victory with three minutes remaining, however it was Ronaldo’s victory. Ronaldo scored 10 targets on the World Cup, making him essentially the most Portuguese participant forward of Eusebio (9).
Going into the match in opposition to Uzbekistan, Ronaldo tried 33 pictures in 10 video games in main competitions (World Cup/Euro), totaling 4.5 anticipated targets (xG), however failed to attain in any of them.
“I am again, I am again,” Ronaldo shouted into the tv cameras after the ultimate whistle.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was relieved to have the ability to play a component in Portugal’s response to their opening group stage draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“I’d say it has been a really powerful week, a troublesome week. It has been per week the place public opinion has been very powerful on us, on all of the gamers and particularly on the coach,” Ronaldo mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s at all times like that.
“That is nice, as a result of if you consider it, it is already been 23 years since I turned skilled and at any time when issues do not go nicely, it is at all times, ‘Cristiano, he is carried out, he is outdated.’
“However, nicely, it was a superb response from me and my teammates. That is what we wished.”
6 – Cristiano Ronaldo turned the primary participant to attain in six totally different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Unavoidable. pic.twitter.com/ni2PsyseCV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 23, 2026
Ronaldo additionally turned the second oldest scorer in World Cup historical past (41 years and 138 days) after Roger Milla (42 years and 39 days) within the 1994 match between Cameroon and Russia, and the oldest European participant to attain in a serious event.
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland have all began their seasons with targets within the first two video games of the event, with Portugal’s captain additionally becoming a member of them on the World Cup.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez believes the rivalry between Ronaldo and Argentina captain Messi is vital for each gamers and can drive them to be at their finest.
“I consider each gamers have improved their soccer over time and their rivalry is vital for their very own improvement,” Martinez added.
“(Ronaldo) is an icon and a job mannequin for the nationwide group. He has an awesome perspective on the pitch and within the dressing room.
“He is an exemplary determine on the subject of the World Cup, not simply the targets he scores, the passes he passes and the possibilities he creates.”
For Uzbekistan, alternatively, their World Cup debut didn’t go as deliberate, however they nonetheless have an opportunity of constructing it to the knockout levels regardless of dropping two of their group video games to date.
Nevertheless, that is the fifth consecutive Asian nation to lose each of their opening two video games of their first World Cup event, following Japan (1998), China (2002), Qatar (2022), and Jordan (2026).
Uzbekistan appeared to have halved the arrears with Aziz Ganiev’s highly effective strike, however a foul on Abbosbek Faizulaev led to a VAR evaluation and the celebrations have been minimize brief, with head coach Fabio Cannavaro taking full duty for his aspect’s defeat.
“They tried all the pieces and did their finest. I am very proud,” Cannavaro advised reporters. “Now we have to maintain believing till it turns into mathematically insurmountable.
“I’ve at all times fulfilled my tasks as a participant and as a coach. If we lose 5-0, it is as a result of I made a mistake as we speak, it is not their fault.”
“That is the primary time we’re taking part in in a World Cup. I advised the gamers that they’ll misplace passes and make errors, as a result of I’ve to provide them the arrogance to attempt to enhance.”
