Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal defeats Uzbekistan 5-0

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan during the World Cup on June 24, 2026, marking a strong response to previous criticism. After a lackluster opener against DR Congo, where he failed to score, Ronaldo showcased his performance by becoming the first player to score in six World Cups. He expressed satisfaction with the team's response after facing public scrutiny, emphasizing his commitment to continue to work hard regardless of external opinions. Ronaldo declined to discuss Lionel Messi's performance during a follow-up question, directing attention instead to his own contributions.