Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest goal for Portugal set an incredible record at the World Cup and was the perfect response to Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo sets a World Cup record with his goal for Portugal against Uzbekistan (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score in six different World Cups.
The 41-year-old silenced his critics by scoring in the sixth minute of the group game against Uzbekistan. It was the perfect response to Lionel Messi’s stunning brace against Austria.
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He set his own World Cup record at this summer’s tournament with two goals and a hat trick the previous day, becoming the all-time leading scorer with 18 points.
On the other hand, Ronaldo had scored eight goals at the start of the tournament, but struggled in Portugal’s first match against DR Congo, which ended in a tie.
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However, he seized his chance early on against Uzbekistan, running intelligently past defenders before turning in Joao Cancelo’s low cross into the goal.
Speaking about Ronaldo after the goal, Lee Dixon said on ITV: “You can feel the nerves go away, the hairs on the back of your neck. Everyone who loves football will be happy that he scored. He’s in good spirits now.”
“When the ball goes wide, at his age you don’t need to sprint as fast as you can. He’s smart and rushes forward. His timing to run into the cross is perfect.”
Portugal doubled their lead after 15 minutes with Nuno Mendes scoring a free kick from close range.
In fact, Ronaldo acted as if he was going to score a set-piece, and the Paris Saint-Germain left-back quickly ran to the ball and took Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov by surprise with a powerful strike that contributed to the goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo also contributed to Portugal’s Nuno Mendes’ goal (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
However, the advantage appeared to be halved when Assyon Ganiev fired home from distance, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for a foul on Joao Cancelo in the build-up.
Ronaldo then doubled his tally before half-time, calmly scoring after receiving a perfectly weighted pass from his former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes.
Portugal, who are expected to move up to four points, have almost guaranteed a place in the round of 32.
Argentina, America, France, Germany and Norway have already qualified, with England aiming to join them when they face Ghana tonight.
Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated Croatia in the opening game and will win the group with just three points left.
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