cristiano ronaldo Eusebio scored twice in Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, becoming Portugal’s top scorer in World Cup history, ending a 60-year-old record and adding another milestone to Portugal’s extraordinary national team career.Portugal enters their second game of Group K under pressure after drawing 1-1 with Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match. Roberto Martinez’s side have been questioned after a lackluster attacking display, while Ronaldo himself has faced criticism after failing to capitalize on several promising chances.Ninety minutes later, the team and captain gave a clear response.
Early breakthroughs and historic milestones
The breakthrough came just six minutes later and was historic in its own right. Joao Cancelo advanced from the right before passing the ball low into the penalty area. Ronaldo timed his movement perfectly, away from his marker and deftly flicked the ball past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abdulvohid Nematov.The goal gave Portugal an early lead and made Ronaldo the first footballer in history to score in six different World Cups, extending his record after becoming the first player to score in five World Cups.
record breaking moment
His biggest moment came shortly before half-time. Nuno Mendes executed a superb free-kick to put Portugal 2-0 ahead, with Bruno Fernandes controlling the ball in midfield and delivering a pinpoint pass through the heart of the Uzbek defence. Ronaldo immediately anticipated the start of the game, timed his run perfectly, and coolly fired into the corner to make it 3-0.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the World Cup Group K football match between Portugal and Uzbekistan on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The goal brought him to ten goals for Portugal at the World Cup, breaking Eusebio’s long-standing national record of nine.
Eusébio’s legacy and 60th anniversary
This achievement capped off a remarkable chapter that began at the 1966 World Cup in England. Eusebio is one of the most iconic figures in Portuguese football history, scoring all nine goals in a single World Cup match to lead Portugal to a third-place finish. Known around the world as “The Black Panther”, he reached this goal tally in just six games, six of which came at Liverpool’s Goodison Park. Four of his nine goals came from the penalty spot, with the remaining five coming from open play.For 60 years, no Portuguese player has been able to surpass this goal. Ronaldo finally did it in Houston.
Longevity and Glory
The comparison between the two achievements reflects two very different forms of greatness. Eusebio established this record with one of the most explosive individual football championships of all time. Ronaldo shattered that with his longevity, consistency and ability to remain decisive at the highest level for two decades. He scored his second goal against Uzbekistan in his 24th World Cup appearance and his sixth, 20 years after making his debut in Germany in 2006.The brace was part of a dominant performance from Portugal that changed the face of Group K. Nuno Mendes added Portugal’s second goal after Ronaldo cleverly acted as a decoy from a free-kick, while Abdovohid Nematov’s own goal and a late strike from Rafael Leao completed Portugal’s 5-0 win.
Other records and milestones
As well as surpassing Eusebio, Ronaldo left the pitch with several additional records and milestones.His first goal made him the first player to score in six World Cups. At 41 years and 138 days old, he also became the second oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, second only to Roger Milla of Cameroon, who scored at the age of 42 in the 1994 World Cup.These two goals also brought Ronaldo’s career goals for club and country to an astonishing 975.
What does this mean for Portugal
Most importantly for Portugal, the victory took Martinez’s side to four points from two games and set them up for the knockout rounds before a decisive final group match against Colombia.For Ronaldo, however, the night will be remembered for something more lasting. The record set by Portugal’s greatest World Cup hero in 1966 has stood for 60 years. It now belongs to a player who has spent the better part of two decades rewriting football history, one milestone at a time.
