Ronaldo answers critics with double in Portugal's 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to score in six men's World Cups and hits back at a hostile week as Portugal revive their group campaign.
Daniel Fletcher
Writer ·
Cristiano Ronaldo responded to a difficult week of criticism by scoring twice as Portugal swept aside Uzbekistan 5-0 at the World Cup.
The double carried historic weight: Ronaldo became the first player to score in six men's World Cups, turning a testing build-up into a record-breaking afternoon.
Hitting back
Ronaldo said public opinion had been harsh on Portugal and their coach, framing the performance as an answer to those who had written him off. The emphatic win shifted the debate away from age and decline and back towards resilience and finishing power.
What happens next
The result revives Portugal's campaign and restores momentum at a crucial stage of the group. With confidence renewed, attention turns to whether they can sustain the level against tougher opponents to come.
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