Ronaldo Sets New World Cup Record, Scores in Six Tournaments for Portugal

Cristiano RonaldoPlayer·Cristiano Ronaldo achieved an unprecedented milestone on June 23, 2026, scoring in his sixth consecutive FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup. The historic moment unfolded during Portugal's Group K match against UzbekistanTeam·Uzbekistan, which concluded in a commanding 5-0 victory for the European side.

Ronaldo's first goal, netted in the sixth minute, secured his place in the record books as the only player to score in six different editions of the global tournament. He then added a second goal in the first half, bringing his total World Cup goal tally to 10, surpassing the legendary EusébioPlayer·Eusébio as Portugal's all-time leading scorer in the competition. At 41 years and 138 days old, Ronaldo also became the second-oldest player to score in a men's World Cup, a testament to his enduring prowess.

This record-breaking performance served as a powerful response following a challenging week for the Portuguese squad, which included a 1-1 draw against DR CongoTeam·DR Congo in their opening group stage match. Despite questions surrounding his fitness, Ronaldo has maintained a prolific scoring rate for his club, Al Nassr, and the national team throughout the 2025/26 season, with 37 goals by May 2026.

Following his historic achievement, a defiant Cristiano RonaldoPlayer·Cristiano Ronaldo addressed the cameras, declaring, "I'm back, I'm back." He also reflected on the team's collective effort, stating:

"I'm very happy, but the most important thing is the work the team did, the trust we had. We took a lot of beatings during the week, we knew this was going to happen, but the team worked well, we improved a lot."— Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo emphasized that while personal records are gratifying, his primary objective remains to help the national team achieve its goals, including his ambition to win his first World Cup trophy.

The decisive victory against UzbekistanTeam·Uzbekistan significantly improved Portugal's standing in Group K. They now sit in second place with 4 points after two matches. Colombia currently leads the group with 6 points and has already secured qualification for the Round of 32. Portugal will face Colombia in their final group stage match on June 27, where a draw or a win will secure their progression to the knockout stage. A victory could also see them claim the top spot in the group, a crucial factor for potential quarter-final matchups, including a highly anticipated clash with Argentina and Lionel MessiPlayer·Lionel Messi, should both teams advance as group winners.