Ronaldo first player to score at 6 World Cups
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- Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026), netting a near-post finish in the 6th minute and a third goal before halftime in Portugal's 5-0 Group K win over Uzbekistan in Houston.
- Ronaldo ended a 10-game goal drought in major tournaments that stretched back to November 2022, having drawn a blank against Congo DR the previous Wednesday.
- Ronaldo, at 41 years and 138 days, became the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history, behind Cameroon's Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days) in 1994.
- Portugal moved to four points in Group K and face Colombia in Miami on Saturday in their group finale.
- Lionel Messi also played in six World Cups but failed to score at the 2010 tournament in South Africa; Messi leads the all-time World Cup scoring list with 18 goals, ahead of Ronaldo's 10.
- Coach Roberto Martínez had faced heavy criticism for continuing to pick Ronaldo at center forward after the Congo DR draw, but told reporters Monday the captain is "an example" and "a role model for our team."
Why it matters: Ronaldo answered the critics who questioned Martínez's loyalty to a 41-year-old center forward with a record that no other man in history can claim: goals across six World Cup editions. The milestone, almost certainly his last World Cup, cements his longevity case even as his total of 10 World Cup goals still trails Messi's all-time mark of 18.
