Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal crush Uzbekistan 5–0
Ronaldo brace buries Uzbekistan 5–0, Portugal roar into round of 16
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and made history. Portugal dismantled Uzbekistan 5–0 on Tuesday, and your captain became the first player ever to score at six different World Cups. Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leao, and Bruno Fernandes also got on the scoresheet (1) (4).
Fernandes put it plainly after the match: "It was important for our captain to score. It was important for us that he scored. He's our go-to player in attack. We're very happy for him" (4).
The win secures Portugal's place in the knockout stage. That opening draw against DR Congo feels distant now.
Rooney: Ronaldo is selfish, and that is the point
Wayne Rooney knows him better than most. The former United teammate praised Ronaldo's brace against Uzbekistan and offered a sharp observation: Ronaldo is selfish in the sense of wanting to be the best, but that drive is exactly what sets him apart (7).
Ghana or Carlos Queiroz await in the next round
Portugal's round-of-16 opponent is taking shape. The most likely options: Ghana, or a team managed by Carlos Queiroz, your former national team boss (2). Either storyline carries weight.
Sporting close in on Sergi Altimira for €18m
Sporting are set to sign Getafe midfielder Sergi Altimira from Betis. The fee lands around €18 million plus bonuses (3). A significant midfield addition for the Lisbon side.
Tomás Araújo back in full training
Defender Tomás Araújo returned to full training Thursday after Portugal's 5–0 win (8). Rúben Dias is already back in the lineup. Your backline is healing at the right time.
Fan reactions
Fans are buzzing about Ronaldo silencing the doubters. The A Bola poll calling for him to be dropped has flipped into celebration mode overnight. The dominant take on Reddit: the captain answered every question with two goals and a record. Meanwhile, a transfer subplot is brewing as Tottenham and Manchester United circle West Ham's 21-year-old midfielder Mateus Fernandes (link).
Sources
- 1. record.pt — Como da noite para o dia: Seleção transfigurou-se no ataque para golear o Uzbequistão
- 2. record.pt — Os cenários de Portugal na próxima fase: Carlos Queiroz pode ser adversário
- 3. as.com — Sergi Altimira y el Betis justifican la ‘jugarreta’ al Getafe
- 4. soccernews.com — Fernandes: It was important for Portugal to see Ronaldo score
- 7. sapo.pt — Rooney: "Ronaldo é egoísta no sentido de querer ser o melhor, mas..."
- 8. rtp.pt — Mundial2026: Tomás Araújo reintegrado no treino de recuperação pós-goleada de Portugal