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Rabat – Cristiano Ronaldo kept his Golden Boot hopes alive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after scoring a brace in Portugal’s dominant win over Uzbekistan 5-0, while also becoming the first player in history to score in six different editions of the tournament.
At 41 years old, Portugal’s captain once again proved why he remains one of football’s greatest players. His two goals against Uzbekistan not only helped Portugal secure a 3points but also put him back in the race for the tournament’s top scorers.
The brace also kept Ronaldo firmly in the Golden Boot conversation and took his World Cup tally to 10 goals overall, etching his name among the tournament’s all-time great scorers. With Portugal widely regarded as one of the teams most likely to reach the final stages of the competition, he still has the chance to add more goals as the tournament progresses, while remaining a serious threat for goalkeepers.
The performance came at an important moment for both Ronaldo and Portugal. After the team’s disappointing opening result, criticism quickly followed, with much of it aimed at the players, the head coach Roberto MartÃnez, and Ronaldo himself.
Speaking after the victory, Ronaldo said the media and the fans have been too harsh on the squad this week, arguing that they commend him when things go well but criticism arrives immediately when results go wrong.
The Golden Boot race remains open, but Portugal’s expected deep run could give Ronaldo more chances to add to his tally and to his individual titles. Whatever happens next, Ronaldo has already turned criticism into another historical moment of his career.
