Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 the grand old man of the World Cup, finally answered his critics with a superb brace against Uzbekistan – his first goals of the tournament – after a dismal opening performance had left many questioning whether he was hampering Portugal's hopes. The double brought the five-time Ballon d'Or winner into the golden boot conversation alongside Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, each of whom scored two goals on a dramatic day in Russia. Messi, 39 this week, had already electrified the tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria and followed it with a double against Austria, while Mbappe and Haaland also hit braces. But the Argentina captain's stellar form came after he missed a penalty, highlighting one of his greatest traits: resilience. For Ronaldo, the brace was a statement – a reminder of his enduring class despite an age that, as one observer noted, equates to 120 in footballer years.
Yet not every veteran is thriving. Luka Modric, who will turn 41 in September, looked past it against England, disappearing before being substituted. Messi and Ronaldo, however, continue to defy time. The golden boot race remains open: Harry Kane, Deniz Undav of Germany, and Brazil's Vinicius Jr all have four goals, with tiebreakers based on assists and minutes played. Switzerland's Johan Manzambi has three, while a cluster of players including Cody Gakpo and Mikel Oyarzabal sit on two.
“Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, scores first World Cup goals to join Messi, Mbappe and Haaland in golden boot race.”
Meanwhile, Scotland's long-awaited second group match against Morocco lasted only 70 seconds before they conceded the fastest goal of the cup so far, prompting one fan to wonder if they were still dreaming. Ronaldo, though, is wide awake – and with goals now on the board, the race for the golden boot is hurtling towards an epic knockout-stage contest.