Cristiano Ronaldo makes history and joins in World Cup scoring barrage

Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics (at least for one game) with a defiant performance against Uzbekistan, which is ranked 58th in the world by FIFA. The Portuguese icon is now the first player to score at six different World Cups.

There are six games in an eight-hour window today. If you don’t have multiple TVs, don’t worry. We’ll be live-blogging them all, so you can follow along.

World Cup Recap

Cristiano Ronaldo made history yesterday, becoming the first player to score in six World Cup tournaments, after netting two goals in Portugal’s 5-0 rout of beleaguered Uzbekistan.

The 41-year-old scored his first after he pounced on a cross from teammate João Cancelo, burying the ball past the goalkeeper with a right-footed shot. He scored again in the 39th minute after a pass from Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes to make the score 3-0.

Ronaldo is now the second-oldest player to score at a World Cup, behind Cameroon forward Roger Milla, who was 42 at the 1994 tournament in the United States.

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts as he scores his team's third goal — Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts as he scores his team’s third goal during the match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston on June 23.Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP via Getty Images

Ronaldo and his great rival, Argentina captain Lionel Messi, this year became the only men in history to play in six World Cups. Ronaldo’s scoring streak started in his debut in 2006, and he also netted goals in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Despite his storied career, Messi failed to score a goal at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Fresh off its impressive opening win against Croatia, England failed to break down a well-organized Ghana in a 0-0 tie. Also in Group L, Croatia dispatched Panama 1-0, and in Group K, Colombia beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1-0.

World Cup Preview

After Scotland’s beer-guzzling fans charmed locals in Boston, the Tartan Army’s party has decamped to the heat of Miami for a clash with five-time champion Brazil.

The Scots are hoping to qualify for the knockout stage at the World Cup for the first time following eight group-stage exits. They got off to a good start, beating Haiti 1-0 in their opener, but came up short against a confident Morocco, losing 1-0.

That leaves the team third in Group C with 3 points, needing a draw or potentially a narrow loss against Brazil to make it out of the group.

Members of the Tartan Army. — Members of the Tartan Army on June 14 in Boston.Jessica Rinaldi / Boston Globe via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Brazil was criticized for its sluggish performance in its opening 1-1 draw against the Moroccans. The team, which last won the competition in 2002, settled its nation’s nerves with a comfortable 3-0 win against Haiti.

Legendary 34-year-old forward Neymar, a surprise inclusion in the Brazil roster by manager Carlo Ancelotti, could return from a right calf injury for the match.

Men In Blazers

In classic Cristiano Ronaldo fashion, he saw Lionel Messi make World Cup history Monday, so he needed to follow suit with not one, not two, but three different tournament records — including becoming the only man to score in six World Cups, as Portugal battered Uzbekistan 5-0.

Meanwhile, England got a harsh reality check in a scoreless draw with Ghana. Nobody is getting back the two hours spent watching that match, and football, well, it’s unclear if it’s coming home after all. For the first time in any game this tournament, there were zero shots on goal in the first half, and in the second, Black Stars’ forward Prince Adu (incredible name) was inexplicably denied a penalty after a wild Ezri Konsa challenge.

Today, the final round of the group stage kicks off with six (!) matches taking place. Group B has Canada hosting Switzerland in Vancouver at 3 p.m. ET, where Jesse Marsch’s Les Rouges aim to become the third and final host nation to book a spot in the knockouts.

Then, Scotland takes on Brazil in Miami at 6 p.m. ET as the Tartan Army looks to mimic Scott McTominay’s Napoli glow-up and secure a knockout round spot. In Group A, tournament host Mexico looks to defend its home turf in Mexico City at 9 p.m. ET against Czechia, which needs a win to avoid elimination.

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