Cristiano Ronaldo overtook Eusébia as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup after scoring twice in a convincing 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, breaking a record that had stood for six decades and adding another landmark achievement to a remarkable international career.Portugal entered their second Group K game under pressure after a frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their tournament opener. Questions were raised about Roberto Martínez’s side after a flat attacking display, while Ronaldo himself faced criticism after failing to convert several promising chances.Ninety minutes later, both the team and its captain gave the final answer.
An early breakthrough and a historical turning point
The breakthrough came after just six minutes and carried its historical significance. João Cancelo raced forward down the right before slotting a low cross into the penalty area. Ronaldo timed his movement perfectly, moved away from his keeper and executed a skillful shot that took the ball away from Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov.The finish gave Portugal an early lead but also made Ronaldo the first footballer in history to score in six different World Cup tournaments, extending the record he already held after becoming the first player to score in five editions of the competition.
A record-breaking moment
His bigger moment came just before halftime. With Portugal already 2-0 up after a brilliant free-kick routine from Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes collected the ball in midfield and slotted a pinpoint pass through the heart of the Uzbekistan defence. Ronaldo immediately anticipated the opening, timed his run to perfection and calmly fired a low shot into the corner for 3-0.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The goal moved him to ten World Cup goals for Portugal, allowing him to surpass Eusébo’s long-standing national record of nine.
Eusébius’ legacy and 60 years
This success closed a significant chapter that began at the 1966 World Cup in England. Eusébio, one of the most famous figures in Portuguese football history, scored all nine of his World Cup goals in one tournament as he led Portugal to a third-place finish. Known to the world as the “Black Panther”, he achieved that result in just six games, six of which came at Goodison Park in Liverpool. He scored four of the nine goals from penalties, while the remaining five were scored from open play.For 60 years, not a single Portuguese player managed to cross that line. Ronaldo finally did it in Houston.
Longevity versus brilliance
Comparing the two achievements reflects two very different forms of greatness. Eusébio set a record in one of the most explosive individual tournaments football has ever seen. Ronaldo broke it through with longevity, consistency and the ability to remain resolute through two decades at the highest level. His second goal against Uzbekistan came in his 24th World Cup appearance and during his sixth World Cup tournament, twenty years after his debut in Germany in 2006.Vrat was part of a dominant Portugal performance 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 an own goal by Abduvohid Nematov and a late strike from Rafael Leão completed a 5-0 victory.
Additional records and milestones
In addition to surpassing Eusébi, Ronaldo left the pitch with several additional records and milestones to his name.His first goal made him the first player to score in six World Cups. At 41 years and 138 days, he also became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, trailing only Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored at the age of 42 at the 1994 tournament.The double also pushed Ronaldo’s career tally to an incredible 975 goals for club and country.
What does this mean for Portugal?
Most importantly for Portugal, the win moved Martínez’s side to four points from two matches and put them firmly on course for qualification for the knockout stages ahead of a decisive group final meeting with Colombia.For Ronaldo, however, the evening will be remembered for something even more lasting. The record set by Portugal’s greatest World Cup hero in 1966 has survived for six decades. Now it belongs to a player who has spent the better part of the last twenty years remaking football history, one milestone at a time.
