Portugal produced one of the standout performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, thrashing Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston to take a giant step towards the knockout stages.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening Group K fixture, Roberto Martinez’s side responded in emphatic fashion. The star of the show was Cristiano Ronaldo, who rolled back the years with a brilliant brace that dismantled the World Cup debutants. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute before adding a second just before half-time, while Nuno Mendes, an Uzbek own goal and Rafael Leao completed the rout.

Ronaldo’s latest records made the victory even more memorable. At 41, the Portugal captain became the first player in football history to score in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, from 2006 to 2026. He also overtook the legendary Eusébio as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer at World Cup finals, with 10 goals.

Roger Milla still holds the record as the oldest player to score in a World Cup match, but Ronaldo’s brace made him the oldest player ever to score twice in a World Cup match, further enhancing his remarkable legacy. Portugal are now well placed ahead of their decisive clash with Colombia, with confidence high after one of the tournament’s most dominant performances so far.