Cristiano Ronaldo makes World Cup history with brace vs Uzbekistan, breaks Eusébio’s Portugal record
Cristiano Ronaldo delivered another historic World Cup moment by scoring twice against Uzbekistan in Portugal’s Group K clash. The brace made him the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup editions and also saw him surpass Eusébio to become Portugal’s leading World Cup scorer.
June 24, 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo once again carved his name into football history on the grandest stage, delivering a landmark performance for Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The veteran forward became the first player ever to score in six different editions of the FIFA World Cup after finding the net against Uzbekistan in Portugal’s Group K clash at Houston Stadium on Tuesday, June 23.
The goal was significant on multiple fronts. Not only did it end Ronaldo’s recent goal drought, but it also reaffirmed his unmatched longevity and ability to rise to the occasion in the biggest tournaments. By scoring in the 2026 edition, Ronaldo completed a remarkable sequence of World Cup goals across 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026, a feat no player in the history of the competition has managed.
Portugal made a bright start against Uzbekistan, and it was Ronaldo who set the tone by opening the scoring early in the contest. The strike took his overall World Cup tally to nine goals at the time, further strengthening his standing among the greatest players the sport has ever seen. However, the night only got better for the Portuguese captain.
Ronaldo later completed his brace in the first half, taking his World Cup goal tally for Portugal to 10 and, in the process, surpassing the legendary Eusébio to become Portugal’s outright top scorer in FIFA World Cup history. It was yet another extraordinary chapter in a career already filled with milestones, and it underlined his enduring value to both club and country even at this stage of his career.
Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Eusébio’s Portugal World Cup record
The significance of Ronaldo’s performance against Uzbekistan extended beyond the global record of scoring in six World Cups. With his second goal of the night, he moved past Portugal icon Eusébio’s long-standing World Cup scoring mark and established a new national record for the most World Cup goals for Portugal.
Having first scored at the World Cup in 2006, Ronaldo has maintained an extraordinary level of consistency over two decades. Very few players in football history have managed to remain decisive at the highest level across such a long period, and Ronaldo’s latest display was another reminder of the standards he continues to set. Against Uzbekistan, Portugal looked sharp, aggressive, and in complete control, with Ronaldo leading the charge from the front.
The 40-year-old’s impact was particularly important given the scrutiny Portugal had faced after their draw against DR Congo earlier in the tournament. Questions had been raised over the team’s attacking rhythm and Ronaldo’s recent form, but the captain answered in the best way possible—by delivering on the pitch when it mattered most.
Ahead of the match, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez had publicly backed his captain and dismissed concerns surrounding the atmosphere in the camp. Following criticism after the DR Congo game, Martinez insisted that Ronaldo remained a central figure in the squad, both for his leadership and his influence on the field.
A record-breaking day for @Cristiano 👏
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 23, 2026
✅ First player to score at six @FIFAWorldCup tournaments
✅ Highest FIFA World Cup goalscorer in Portugal’s history pic.twitter.com/s1peim7kUz
“We’re more united, we’re stronger. We’re playing a World Cup, of course there’s a lot of noise, a lot of tension, it’s part of the game. Our focus is on the team. We’re more united than before we arrived. There’s no tension. He’s an example, as a captain. And he’s reacted as a captain, with a lot of experience. He wants to contribute, and he’s a role model for our team. He opens up spaces with his movements. The numbers support him,” Martinez said via GOAL.
Martinez’s faith was repaid in emphatic fashion. With Portugal racing into a 3-0 lead by half-time, Ronaldo’s brace put the 2016 European champions firmly in control of the contest and gave them the ideal platform to secure a vital result in Group K.
As the second half unfolded, all eyes were naturally on Ronaldo and the possibility of a hat-trick. Given his hunger for records and his relentless drive, the veteran forward was expected to push for another memorable milestone. His brace had already taken him to 10 World Cup goals, and another strike would have further widened the gap between himself and Portugal’s previous record-holders.
Beyond the individual records, Ronaldo’s performance was also a timely boost for Portugal’s World Cup campaign. After a shaky outing in their previous game, the team looked far more fluid and dangerous in attack, with Ronaldo’s movement, positioning, and finishing proving decisive. Even when he is not directly involved in every move, his presence continues to shape Portugal’s attacking structure by creating space, drawing defenders, and setting the tone with his intensity.
For Ronaldo, this was not just another World Cup goal. It was another statement—one that reinforced his status as one of football’s ultimate big-stage performers. To remain relevant, decisive, and record-breaking across six different World Cups is an achievement that may stand untouched for years to come.
Portugal, meanwhile, will take immense confidence from both the result and the manner of their performance. If they are to make a deep run in the tournament, Ronaldo’s form and leadership will remain central to their hopes. On a night when history was made yet again, the Portugal captain reminded the football world that even after everything he has achieved, he is still capable of producing defining moments on the sport’s biggest stage.
