Ronaldo's Milestone and Portugal's Dominance
Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Portugal routed Uzbekistan 5-0 in a World Cup qualifier that left the European side firmly in control.
The veteran forward became the first player ever to net in six different World Cup tournaments, a record that underscored his longevity.
After the match, Cristiano Ronaldo said the team’s collective effort mattered more than personal milestones, emphasizing that breaking records was a secondary goal.
Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez praised the squad’s maturity and the way the players integrated new talent, noting that the performance was a clear step forward.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes orchestrated play, while full‑back Nuno Mendes added a spectacular free‑kick to the scoreline, and winger Rafael Leao capped the victory with a late fifth goal.
Uzbekistan’s hopes were dented when a goal by Abduvohid Nematov was ruled out for a foul on Joao Cancelo, and an own goal by keeper Azizjon Ganiev further inflated Portugal’s tally.
Overall, Portugal generated 17 attempts, eight of them on target, while the Uzbek side struggled to create clear chances.