Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the first half as Portugal dismantled Uzbekistan 3-0 in their Group K clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In doing so, the 41-year-old became the first player in history to score in six consecutive World Cups.
The match, played on June 23, 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston, was effectively over before halftime. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 6th minute, Nuno Mendes doubled the lead in the 17th, and Ronaldo added his second in the 39th. By the 44th minute, it was 3-0 and Portugal fans were already looking ahead.
A record that might never be broken
Scoring in six consecutive World Cups means Ronaldo has been doing this at the highest level since 2006. To replicate it, a player would need to debut as a teenager, maintain elite form into their forties, and actually qualify for every World Cup along the way.
The result also snapped Portugal out of a somewhat underwhelming start. Their previous Group K match ended in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, raising mild concerns about whether this squad could find its attacking rhythm. Three first-half goals answered that question definitively.
