Cristiano Ronaldo Sets New World Cup Record for Portugal
Ronaldo Breaks Eusebio's Record
In a remarkable achievement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Cristiano Ronaldo for becoming Portugal's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, surpassing the legendary Eusebio. Ronaldo reached this milestone during Portugal's impressive 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match held at Houston Stadium.
Infantino also acknowledged Ronaldo's historic feat of being the first player ever to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram, Infantino expressed his admiration, stating, "Wow, @cristiano! With his brace against Uzbekistan, the Portugal captain is now the only player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments and also his country’s all-time top scorer in @fifaworldcup history, moving past the legendary Eusebio. Many, many congratulations."
Portugal's Dominant Performance
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Ronaldo's two goals led the charge for Portugal, with Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao also contributing to the scoreline. An own goal from Uzbekistan's goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov added to the team's woes, as Portugal secured their first win of the tournament in style.
With this brace, Ronaldo has now scored a total of 10 goals in World Cup history, surpassing Eusebio's previous record of nine. Eusebio, a celebrated figure in Portuguese football and the 1965 Ballon d'Or winner, had previously led the team to a third-place finish in the 1966 World Cup. Pauleta follows in third place on Portugal's World Cup scoring list with four goals.
Ronaldo's achievement of scoring in six different World Cup tournaments is a testament to his longevity and skill.
This victory was a crucial response for Portugal after their earlier 1-1 draw against DR Congo, which had raised questions about their performance. The win not only revitalized their World Cup campaign but also significantly improved their goal difference ahead of the final group match.
Portugal's performance against Uzbekistan was commanding, with Ronaldo opening the scoring just six minutes into the match. Nuno Mendes followed with a stunning free-kick, and Ronaldo netted again to make it 3-0 before halftime.
In the second half, Uzbekistan struggled to pose a threat, while Portugal maintained control and extended their lead with an own goal from a corner. Substitute Rafael Leao capped off the scoring with a fifth goal, sealing a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
This win not only secured three vital points for Portugal but also bolstered their position in the group, enhancing their goal difference as they look ahead to the final group match.