'WE ARE HERE!' — Ronaldo makes World Cup history at 41

Cristiano Ronaldo was defiant after leading Portugal to a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in Houston, scoring twice as his side dominated. Cameras caught him shouting “I’m back!” and he posted pictures of his celebration on Instagram with the caption “estamos aqui” — “WE ARE HERE!”.

He described the week as “a dark one” after criticism that he had “already retired from football”, but insisted: “I know that whoever works hard, God helps him. It was a tough week, a dark one, it started as if I had retired from football. But I held on as I always hold on because I believe in work more than football.

It was tough, I have to admit, but we came back.” The Al-Nassr forward opened the scoring after six minutes, meeting a Joao Cancelo cross with a pinpoint half-volley to become the first male player to score in six different World Cups. His second of the afternoon took him to 10 World Cup goals, overtaking Eusebio as Portugal's leading scorer in the competition.

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