2026 FIFA World Cup — Group K, Matchday 2 | June 23 | NRG Stadium, Houston
HOUSTON — The doubts had been building for days.
Portugal had drawn 1-1 with DR Congo in their opening match. Cristiano Ronaldo had played the full 90 minutes without a shot on target. The critics were sharpening their knives. At 41, they said, he was too old. He was holding the team back. He should be on the bench.
Ronaldo’s answer came in the 6th minute.
Cancelo crossed from the right. Ronaldo met it with a first-time strike that flew into the near post. 1-0. He ran to the corner flag, arms spread wide, and roared at the cameras: “I’m back!”
He was not done. In the 39th minute, Bruno Fernandes threaded a pass through the Uzbekistan defense. Ronaldo took one touch and slotted the ball into the far corner. 3-0. His 10th World Cup goal. Portugal’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament.
Six World Cups, One Man
No player in the history of football has scored in six different World Cups. Until now.
Ronaldo’s first World Cup goal came in 2006, when he was 21 years old. His latest came in 2026, at 41. Twenty years. Six tournaments. Ten goals. One legend.
Group K Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 4 |
| 2 | Colombia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 3 | DR Congo | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Uzbekistan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 |
Match Details:
- Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan
- Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA
- Goals: Ronaldo 6′ (assist: Cancelo), Mendes 17′, Ronaldo 39′ (assist: Fernandes), Nematov 60′ (OG), Leao 87′
- Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)