Ronaldo Makes History By Scoring At Six World Cups, Fernandes Says It Mattered For Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest World Cup record is drawing strong support from within the Portugal squad, with Bruno Fernandes stressing how much the team values the captain’s goals after the forward became the first player to score in six different editions of the tournament during Portugal’s dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

Ronaldo had faced doubts over a starting place in Roberto Martinez’s line-up after a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in the opening group game, when some analysts questioned whether the captain should continue to lead the attack, yet the performance against Uzbekistan shifted the mood around both the player and the team.

The 41-year-old struck first with a powerful volley at the near post, then later finished calmly across goal for Portugal’s third after Nuno Mendes scored from a curling free-kick where Ronaldo acted as a decoy, while Abduvohid Nematov’s own goal and a forceful strike from substitute Rafael Leao completed the scoring in the second half.

Ronaldo attempted seven shots during the match, more than twice as many as any other player, and also led several advanced attacking metrics, including expected goals and touches in the opposition box, as Portugal repeatedly created chances for the captain, who missed a number of opportunities to complete a hat-trick but remained central to every attacking pattern.

Having previously scored at the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions, Ronaldo is now the first footballer to find the net at six separate World Cups, while his total of 10 finals goals moves the forward clear of Eusebio as Portugal’s leading scorer at the tournament, overtaking the legend’s nine strikes from the 1966 campaign.

Speculation from some pundits suggested Ronaldo’s status might affect harmony in Portugal’s dressing room, yet Fernandes described a different picture, explaining that players celebrated the forward’s display. "It was important for our captain to score," Fernandes said of Ronaldo. "It was important for us that he scored. He’s our go-to player in attack. We’re very happy for him."

Fernandes created Ronaldo’s second goal with a driving carry through midfield and a precise through-ball that split the defence, and the midfielder also delivered another chance for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner after the interval, even though those moments were the only official chances Fernandes supplied during a match where Portugal still produced sustained pressure.

Cristiano Ronaldo link-up highlighted by Fernandes’ creative role

The Manchester United player, who set a Premier League single-season assist mark of 21 in 2025-26, reflected on the value of his contribution and looked ahead to scoring himself later in the tournament. "It’s always special to get an assist with the national team, especially at the World Cup, which is a special tournament," Fernandes added. "What matters is that Portugal scores, whether it’s me or not. We managed to score a lot of goals, and we’re happy about that. I’m here to set up my team-mates up, that’s part of my game, regardless of whether I score or not. I believe my moment will come, and that it will be at a time when it’s truly needed."

Portugal leave the Uzbekistan match with renewed confidence in attack, a historic milestone for Ronaldo and public backing from Fernandes, while Martinez’s side also gain a stronger goal difference and evidence that the captain’s presence still shapes both the team’s style and morale as the World Cup group stage continues.