HOUSTON.- As he has done throughout his career, Cristiano Ronaldo responded as he does best to criticism and doubts: a double against Uzbekistan, this Tuesday in Houston, and a 5-0 win over Portugal that leaves the Portuguese very close to advancing to the next phase.
Ronaldo was the center of criticism after Portugal’s poor debut (1-1 against DR Congo), to the point that voices were raised questioning the presence of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in Roberto Martínez’s starting eleven.
Both the coach and his teammates have worked hard in recent days to defend the 41-year-old “icon” and this Tuesday he thanked him with two goals, which also make CR7 the first footballer in history to score in six World Cups.
Goal in six World Cups, a record
Barely 6 minutes had passed in the game when, as soon as he missed a shot that could have raised doubts again, Ronaldo caught a low cross inside the area and connected with a right hand to send the ball into the net.
Nearing the break, on a counterattack, Bruno Fernandes opened on the right for Ronaldo and he scored again with a cross shot.
The cry “Yay!” characteristic of Ronaldo’s celebration resounded again in a World Cup stadium and the native of Madeira became the Portuguese top scorer in World Cups, surpassing the other great legend of Portuguese football, Eusebio.
“It’s always nice to break records, but my goal is to help the team achieve its goals,” said Ronaldo, who admitted having had “a difficult week.”
“It seemed like it was already finished”
“It seemed like I was already retired from football, but I held on, as always, because I believe more in work than anything else,” he added.
After the rest of the big stars present at the World Cup (Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Kane, Yamal, Salah) had already shone in the previous days, Ronaldo in turn leaves his mark on the tournament and, more importantly, relaunches a Portugal that arrived in North America as one of the great favorites for victory.
Beyond the collective title, as the tournament has begun, an exciting fight for the Golden Boot is expected, led by Messi with 5 goals, Mbappé and Haaland with 4, while Harry Kane is left with 2 goals, the same as Ronaldo, after the disappointing goalless draw between England and Ghana.
