Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates during the World Cup Group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States, June 23, 2026. (Photo: VCG)
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo declared "I'm back" and said those "attacking" him should never write him off after making World Cup history in a 5-0 hammering of Uzbekistan on Tuesday in Houston.
The 41-year-old, under pressure to deliver after a barren recent run at major tournaments, pounced after six minutes to become the first player to score in six World Cup campaigns.
He added a second with a smart finish before half-time as Roberto Martinez's side ran riot against their Central Asian opponents.
The five-star display was in stark contrast to a stale 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in which Ronaldo was laboured and largely anonymous.
That sparked renewed calls in some quarters for Martinez to drop the Al Nassr attacker, with Ronaldo, the coach and the team all facing criticism at home.
Ronaldo shouted into a television camera "I'm back, I'm back", and said after his two-goal display: "I can say it was a very tough week, a difficult week, a week in which public opinion was very harsh on us, on all the players, especially on the coach.
"But it's always like that, it's fine because when you think about it, it's already 23 years I've been a professional and whenever things don't go well it's, 'Cristiano, he's finished, he's old'.
"But well, it was a good response from me and my teammates, which is what we wanted."
He told Martinez and his teammates, who are on the cusp of the last 32, to ignore the outside critique.
"Because we know that when we don't play well or don't win we're always attacked, especially me," he said. "But as I said before, I'm already used to it and I carry on."
Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric is lifted up by his teammates as they celebrate after winning the World Cup Group L football match between Panama and Croatia at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, June 23, 2026. (Photo: VCG)
Elsewhere, Panama were eliminated from the World Cup after Croatia kept their hopes of progressing to the last 32 alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win on Tuesday.
Croatia, who made it to the last four of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, were looking to bounce back after a 4-2 defeat to England in their opening Group L game .
In the end, Ante Budimir's 54th minute goal proved enough to see off the spirited Central Americans.
Croatia's most celebrated player, Luka Modric, was making his 200th international appearance, but his early headed effort on goal sailed over the bar.
Panama will face England in what will be their final match of the tournament on Friday.
Croatia have three points and will face Ghana, who moved onto four points after holding England to a goalless draw earlier, for a place in the final 32.
England striker Harry Kane admitted he had hoped for a better result.
"Obviously disappointed not to win the game," the Three Lions captain said. "It's a game we could've walked away 1-0, 2-0 and moved on. It was never going to be the prettiest game because of the way they played.
"Credit to them, they defended well, dangerous on the counter-attack... We take the point and move on."