Cristiano Ronaldo answered his critics in the most emphatic fashion yesterday, scoring twice in Portugal's 5-0 demolition of Uzbekistan and setting remarkable milestones in the process.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cup campaigns and silenced his critics after "a dark week" as the Portugal captain struck twice in a 5-0 annihilation of Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

Croatia, who reached the 2018 final and finished third in 2022, know the maths. Dropping points in Toronto will endanger their hopes of reaching the next round going into the final match against Ghana.

Ronaldo no longer covers every blade of grass, and there’s no need to anyway. He has grown into a penalty-box predator with the same singular dedication that defined every phase of his career. His role in this Portugal side is different, more conservative, more positional, but vital nevertheless.

With these two goals, Ronaldo achieved yet another historic milestone, becoming the first player ever to score in six different editions of the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score in six World Cups as the 41-year-old netted twice in Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday.

Mbappe's double in Monday's 3-0 win over Iraq propelled France into the knockout rounds while elevating his career World Cup goal tally to 16, level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose and only two behind Lionel Messi's all-time record.

The 41-year-old Portugal skipper, under pressure to find the net after a barren run at major international tournaments, pounced from close range after just six minutes to create a piece of World Cup history.

Lionel Messi looked down, a grin widening into a grimace. One wonders whether there was even a smirk after the miss. Nowhere close to what could be termed a good penalty, he wore the look of a man who knew he was overthinking.

England can secure a place in the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare when they face Ghana in a pivotal Group L clash at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday.

He is the ultimate symbol of relentless hard work, an unyielding never give up attitude, and a burning hunger for success that has redefined what it means to be an athlete. For over two decades, his arrogance on the pitch derived from a pure, unadulterated confidence and his insatiable obsession with winning title after title have made him a living blueprint for greatness.

England coach Brendon McCullum has denied his relationship with Ben Stokes was damaged by the nightclub controversy that forced the captain into exile for the second Test defeat against New Zealand.

Belgium’s Jeremy Doku is preparing to fly back to join the national team at the World Cup after the winger returned to England to be with his wife, who gave birth to a boy on Monday.

Saka, who is typically a first-choice starter for England, came on as a substitute in the 4-2 win over Croatia in the opening game of the tournament last week.

Cristiano Ronaldo enters Portugal's second Group K match at the FIFA World Cup against Uzbekistan tonight with questions swirling around him.

Messi, at his sixth World Cup, was still going strong in the 95th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will look to answer their critics when they face Uzbekistan in their second Group K match at the World Cup in Houston on Tuesday.

Norway have lost just one of their past 18 matches and will take on 2022 runners-up France in Boston on Friday to determine the winners of Group I.

Erling Haaland may be known simply as “Haaland” at club level, but fans watching Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have noticed a different name on the back of his shirt: Braut Haaland.

England will aim to become the latest of the World Cup big guns to book their place in the knockout rounds on Tuesday as Portugal attempt to kickstart their campaign after a lacklustre opening draw.