2 min readJun 24, 2026 12:55 AM IST
First published on: Jun 23, 2026 at 10:52 PM IST
Legendary Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo finally ended his goalscoring drought in major tournaments, scoring the opening goal against Uzbekistan to become the first player ever to net in six different FIFA World Cups.
Ronaldo had previously achieved the feat of scoring in five different World Cups after netting against Ghana at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. However, the 41-year-old striker ended a barren run that had seen him go without a goal in his last 10 major tournament appearances, spanning World Cups and European Championships. During that spell, he had attempted 33 shots and amassed an expected goals (xG) tally of 4.5.
AS IT HAPPENED | PORTUGAL VS UZBEKISTAN FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 HIGHLIGHTS
This was Ronaldo’s ninth World Cup goal overall, the joint-most by a Portugal player in World Cups, equalling Eusébio’s record.
It only took him another 30-odd minutes to break Eusébio’s record by becoming the highest goal scorer for Portugal with his second goal against Uzbekistan.
Since making his debut in 2006, he has now scored in every World Cup he has played in. This is only the second World Cup after 2018 in which Ronaldo scored more than one goal in the tournament.
The 41-year-0ld’s brace and goals by Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao, coupled with an own goal, helped Portugal thrash Uzbekistan 5-0 for their first win of the tournament.
Earlier, Argentine great Lionel Messi had become only the second player after Ronaldo to score in five different World Cups when he netted against Algeria. Messi had no goals to his name in 2010. The Argentinian also became the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history after a 38th-minute strike against Austria, going past Germany’s Miroslav Klose.
Cristiano Ronaldo edition-wise World Cup goals:
- 2006 Germany: 1 goal
- 2010 South Africa: 1 goal
- 2014 Brazil: 1 goal
- 2018 Russia: 4 goals
- 2022 Qatar: 1 goal
- 2026 USA/Mexico/Canada: 2 goals*
Goals in most FIFA World Cup editions:
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 6 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)*
- Lionel Messi – 5 (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
- Miroslav Klose – 4 (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)
- Pele – 4 (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970)
- Uwe Seeler – 4 (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970)
Ronaldo became first player to score a goal in six different World Cup. (AP) 
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