Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a statement performance with a first-half brace as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in Tuesday’s World Cup action, easing scrutiny that had followed their earlier 1-1 draw with DR Congo.
Talk had grown in the aftermath of that draw suggesting Portugal coach Roberto Martínez might consider benching the 41-year-old, but Ronaldo quickly answered his critics.
He struck in the sixth minute to make history as the first player to score in six different World Cups, immediately shifting the momentum Portugal’s way.
At 41 years and 138 days, Ronaldo also became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history and joined Cameroon legend Roger Milla (1994 — 42 years, 39 days) as one of only two players aged 40 or above to score in the tournament.
His milestone night also saw him become the oldest player ever to record a multi-goal game at a men’s World Cup.
He almost added a second in the 14th minute when Portugal won a free-kick just outside the Uzbekistan box, but instead Nuno Mendes stepped up to curl a brilliant effort into the net for 2-0.
Ronaldo eventually doubled his tally before the break, latching onto a precise through ball from Bruno Fernandes after a swift counter-attack to score his 10th World Cup goal.
The strike also saw him surpass Eusébio as Portugal’s all-time top scorer in World Cup history.
Those two goals took Ronaldo’s international tally to 144 and 145, extending his record lead over Lionel Messi.
Portugal added a third via an own goal in the 60th minute before Rafael Leão rounded off the scoring in the 87th minute after reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the area.
The win sends Portugal top of Group K, one point clear of Colombia ahead of their final group clash with DR Congo later on Tuesday, while Martínez’s side will meet Colombia in their concluding group fixture on Saturday in Miami.
