The Mt Kenya Times 
A first-half brace from Cristiano Ronaldo — his 9th and 10th World Cup goals — rewrites the record books as Portugal announce themselves as genuine contenders.
By Norman Mwale
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in history to score at six World Cups as Portugal swept aside Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston, silencing the critics who had written him off after a flat 1-1 draw with DR Congo.
The 41-year-old struck twice in a dominant first half before Nuno Mendes, an own goal and substitute Rafael Leão completed the rout, sending Portugal to the top of Group K and announcing their tournament credentials with authority.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 6th minute, ghosting to the near post to convert João Cancelo’s low cross — his 9th World Cup goal, drawing level with Eusébio. He then stepped aside for Mendes to curl a free kick into the bottom corner in the 17th minute, before racing onto a Bruno Fernandes through ball in the 39th minute to finish coolly and claim his 10th, moving past Eusébio as Portugal’s all-time World Cup top scorer. The brace also made him the oldest player to score a World Cup brace — at 41 years and 138 days — and the second-oldest World Cup scorer in history, behind only Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who was 42 at USA ’94.
Uzbekistan thought they had a lifeline when Aziz Ganiev smashed home before the break, but VAR ruled it out for a foul on Cancelo in the build-up. Portugal killed the contest in the 60th minute when Fernandes’ corner was flicked on by João Félix, deflecting off Abdukodir Khusanov and goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov into the net. Leão, on as a substitute, added a fifth in the 87th minute, lashing into the roof of the net after a loose clearance fell kindly.
Ronaldo had gone 10 games without a goal in major tournaments before Tuesday, a drought stretching back to November 2022. He answered with two.
“They said I should retire,” Ronaldo said. “But I am here. The noise from outside is always like this but we can’t control it. We keep going and we are united.”
Martínez was measured but satisfied. “We controlled the game, we created, and we defended well. That is the standard we want.”
Portugal recorded 17 shots, nine on target; Uzbekistan managed two. Ronaldo was named Player of the Match. At 41, he is not just still here — he is still making history.
Scoreline: Portugal 5–0 Uzbekistan Scorers: Ronaldo 6′, Nuno Mendes 17′, Ronaldo 39′, Nematov OG 60′, Leão 87′ Venue: Houston Stadium | Attendance: 68,777
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