Cristiano Ronaldo added another historic chapter to his World Cup career as Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 in Group K of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Portuguese star scored twice and became the first player to score in six different World Cup editions.
Ronaldo had previously scored in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. His latest goals in 2026 took him past Lionel Messi in that specific record, as Messi did not score in the 2010 World Cup. Ronaldo also became Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, moving beyond the legendary Eusebio.
The 41-year-old’s performance came at the right time for Portugal, who had drawn their opening match against DR Congo. Against Uzbekistan, they looked sharper, faster and more clinical. The big win pushed Portugal closer to qualification for the knockout stage and reminded fans that Ronaldo still remains a major presence on football’s biggest stage.
Meanwhile, England experienced what many fans are calling their “unlucky 13” moment after a frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana. England dominated possession but failed to break down Ghana’s compact defensive setup. The result continued England’s familiar problem of struggling in second group-stage matches at major tournaments.
Despite the draw, England remain in a strong position to qualify. However, the match raised fresh questions about creativity, finishing and whether Thomas Tuchel’s side can handle defensive opponents in the knockout rounds.
Croatia also had a special statistical moment as Luka Modric made his 200th international appearance during Croatia’s 1-0 win over Panama. That milestone placed him in elite company with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Bader Al-Mutawa.
With Ronaldo breaking records, Messi still leading the all-time World Cup scoring race, England searching for rhythm, and Modric reaching 200 caps, the 2026 World Cup group stage has already become a tournament of milestones.
