Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken after becoming the first player to score at six FIFA World Cups, netting a brace in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on June 23, 2026. The win marked Portugal's first at the tournament following a 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening match.
Ronaldo's Record-Breaking Performance
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute, achieving his historic record early in the game. He added a second goal in the 39th minute, taking his World Cup tally to 10 goals. The 41-year-old's brace secured Portugal's comprehensive win over the tournament debutants.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo admitted he was happy with the record but emphasized the team's objectives. "I'm very happy. But for me, the most important thing is our work and the confidence we showed. The team performed really well and improved a lot," he said via FIFA.
Frustration and Resilience
Ronaldo revealed that the opening match against DR Congo was a difficult experience. "I knew it. God help those who work hard. It was a difficult, dark week; it felt like I was already retired from football, but I held on as I always do because I believe more in hard work than in football. It was difficult, I have to confess, but we're back," he added via Metro UK.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner reiterated that records are nice but his primary goal is to help the national team achieve its objectives. "As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Obviously, speaking personally, records are always nice, but my goal is always to help the national team achieve its objectives," he said via FIFA.
Manager's Praise
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez praised the collective efforts of his team after the disappointment of their opening day draw. "This was the response we had in the dressing room. There are times when you need a game like the first one in order to grow in the tournament," he said via FIFA.
"Today we saw a team with the same attitude and commitment, but with greater maturity because it was no longer the opening match. I'm very pleased with the result," Martinez added.
The victory puts Portugal in a strong position in their group as they aim to progress further in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
