Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups as his double helped Portugal thrash Uzbekistan.

The 41-year-old made history when he opened the scoring in the sixth minute, sweeping in a low half-volley at the near post from Joao Cancelo's cross from the right.

Ronaldo's strike also meant he became the second oldest man to score at a World Cup, behind Cameroon's Roger Milla, who was 42 when he found the net against Russia in 1994.

Portugal were criticised following a 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening game of the tournament, but they stepped up in style against the World Cup debutants.

They doubled their lead in the 17th minute in Houston with Nuno Mendes scoring directly with a low free-kick from 20 yards out.

Uzbekistan thought they had a wonderful reply as Aziz G'aniev spectacularly shot into the net, but the effort was ruled out because Abbosbek Fayzullaev had fouled Cancelo.

Ronaldo got his second and Portugal's third in the 39th minute when Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes gained possession in the centre circle and slid a pass through to him, with the Portugal captain slipping a precise finish into the bottom corner.

Goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov scored an own goal when Uzbekistan failed to deal with a corner, with the ball bouncing off him last for Portugal's fourth, before substitute Rafael Leao smashed in a late fifth to seal the rout.

The three points took Portugal top of Group K, although Colombia will move above them if they beat DR Congo later on Wednesday (03:00 BST), while Uzbekistan remain without a point after two games.

On Monday, Argentina's Lionel Messi became the top scorer in World Cup history with a double against Austria to take his total to 18. However, Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, has only scored at five of the six tournaments he has played in, failing to register in 2010.

Ronaldo has now struck 10 times, having scored once at the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022 finals and four times in 2018, including a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain.

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Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo had been criticised for his performance against DR Congo, with his total of 25 touches the fewest of any Portugal outfield players who played the full match.

This World Cup has seen a number of the sport's biggest stars deliver, with Messi leading the goal charts with five, France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland on four apiece, with Brazil's Vinicius Jr and England's Harry Kane getting two so far.

Under pressure and scrutiny, Ronaldo responded to the doubters, taking six minutes to make his mark on Tuesday.

His delight at scoring was obvious, ending an 11-game goal drought at a World Cup or European Championship.

Ronaldo had a smaller part to play in Portugal's second strike when Uzbekistan were expecting him to take a free-kick on the edge of the box, only for Mendes to surprise everyone and fire into the net.

The veteran forward then produced another excellent finish from a tight angle after superb work from Fernandes to get the assist as Roberto Martinez's side outclassed their opponents.

That second goal was only the second time Ronaldo had scored more than once in a World Cup match and also took him clear of the legendary Eusebio to become Portugal's top goalscorer at the tournament.

He almost scored a first-hat-trick with an innovative lofted strike, only for Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov to clear the ball off the line.

After Nematov's own goal, his team-mates were constantly looking for Ronaldo to try to help him complete a hat-trick. Portugal did score again three minutes from time, but it was Leao who slammed a fierce finish into the roof of the net.

At full-time, a delighted Ronaldo was seen shouting "I'm back, I'm back" into the camera. His double, and place in the record books, certainly proved that. (BBC)

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