Ronaldo becomes first to score at six World Cups as Portugal hammer Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo turned in a vintage performance with two goals and delivered Portugal to their ‌first win of this World Cup, a 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan on Tuesday in Houston.

Ronaldo became the first player with goals in ‌six editions of the World Cup. He eclipsed Eusebio as Portugal's all-time World Cup goals leader with 10. And at 41, he is the ​second-oldest goal-scorer in World Cup history behind Cameroon's Roger Milla (42 in 1994).

A target of sceptics after he failed to contribute to Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo, Ronaldo scored in the sixth and 39th minutes to continue a summer of braces in North America -- following ​the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland who have scored two or more goals in a match this month.

Portugal (1-0-1, 4 ⁠points) moved one step closer to advancing out of Group K. Uzbekistan (0-2-0, 0 points) will be eliminated ‌if ‌DR ​Congo upset Colombia later Tuesday.

Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao also scored and the Portuguese caused an Uzbekistan own goal during the second half.

Ronaldo was involved early, a near-miss ⁠in the fourth minute presaging what was around ​the corner.

Joao Cancelo penetrated the right wing and sent ​in a cross that met Ronaldo's boot perfectly at the 6-yard line for a one-timer past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov.

An ‌Uzbek yellow card led to a free ​kick just outside the penalty area in the 17th minute. The defence and the crowd alike expected Ronaldo ⁠to take a run, only for Mendes to ⁠come from the other ​direction for an easy score around the wall.

Azizjon Ganiev smashed in a would-be goal for Uzbekistan from well outside the box in the 29th minute, but only after a teammate dragged down Cancelo in the process of winning the ball back. A