Cristiano Ronaldo answered doubts in Houston, netting a brace as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in Group K. The 41‑year‑old struck in the 7th and 39th minutes, becoming both the youngest and oldest player to score for Portugal at a World Cup. His two goals lifted the team to a comfortable opening‑match lead and proved he can still dominate on the world stage.

Ronaldo’s performance contrasted sharply with the previous game against Congo DR, where he managed 25 touches and three off‑target shots. Coach Roberto Martínez defended his value, noting that Ronaldo’s movement creates space and that the statistics back his influence. The Houston crowd responded with thousands of cheers each time he touched the ball, reinforcing his enduring popularity and showed why he remains vital.

With seven shots, five on target and an xG of 1.33, Ronaldo out‑performed his teammates and silenced critics questioning his relevance. Portugal now faces Colombia in its third group fixture, a step up in difficulty before the knockout rounds. The brace cemented Cristiano Ronaldo’s status as the tournament’s most experienced scorer and gave Portugal momentum heading into tougher opposition for Portugal’s campaign in the tournament.