Cristiano Ronaldo finally found the back of the net at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.
Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan after going scoreless in Portugal’s first group stage match against Congo on June 17.
“I knew that God helps those who work. I knew my teammates were going to help as well,” he said in his post-match interview.
Ronaldo’s performance and inability to score in the 1-1 draw against Congo drew scrutiny online, having come just a day after both Norway’s Erling Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappé scored braces and Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat trick.
Ronaldo’s World Cup scoring struggles date back to the 2022 World Cup, where he only scored once off a penalty. He scored four goals at the 2018 World Cup.
“It was a difficult week, a dark week,” he said. “It felt like I was already retired from football. But I held on, as I always do, because I believe more in hard work than in anything else. It was difficult, I’m not going to — I have to confess, but we are back.”
How Cristiano Ronaldo made World Cup history
His two goals made him the first player to ever score in six World Cups. At 41 years, 138 days, he also became the second-oldest World Cup scorer behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored at 42 years, 39 days old, according to ESPN.
Following the win over Uzbekistan, Ronaldo was asked if he and Portugal had finally arrived like the other greats of this World Cup. He reiterated his previous statement.
“I always arrive. Sooner or later, I’m there. It’s about continuing the work. I truly believe that God helps those who work hard,” Ronaldo said, per ESPN. “It’s always been that way in my career, nothing’s going to change. I’m very happy. The most important thing is the team, being united with them and with our families. We can’t control the rest that comes from outside.”
Ronaldo and Portugal face Colombia Saturday in their final group stage match and will advance to the round of 32 with a win or draw, according to Sporting News.