Brilliant Ronaldo guides Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan

HOUSTON: Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at six World Cups and became Portugal’s leading scorer in the tournament as Portugal found their stride in Group K.

Ronaldo fired home a Joao Cancelo cross at the near post on six minutes and, after leaving a free kick for Nuno Mendes to stroke home the second, then strode onto a pass from Bruno Fernandes to apply an angled finish and overtake Eusebio as his nation’s leading World Cup goalscorer.

Uzbekistan saw a fine G’aniev goal chalked-off after a VAR review for a foul in the build-up before the break before Khusanov deflected a Joao Felix flick past Nematov after the turnaround for the fourth and Rafa Leao thumped the late fifth.

Ronaldo was denied a hat-trick by a goalline clearance from Khusanov and another shot was saved by the keeper, but he follows Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in scoring a double in the past 24 hours.