'Why would you doubt him?' - Reaction as Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first player to score at six different World Cups with double against Uzbekistan

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Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo made more history on Tuesday at the age of 41 when he became the first player to score at six different World Cups with his opener against Uzbekistan in Houston, Texas.

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The forward had a quiet game as Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo in their opening fixture.

But he quickly made amends against Uzbekistan by clinically lashing into the bottom corner from Joao Cancelo's low right-wing cross.

The Houston Stadium in Texas erupted as the ball rattled into the back of the net, while Ronaldo was mobbed by his team-mates.

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Before half-time, he had added a second, this time racing on to Bruno Fernandes' perfect pass before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper.

"Why would you ever doubt him?" said Ronaldo's former Manchester United team-mate and ITV pundit Roy Keane.

"The guy's amazing. He's joined the party. An amazing player and his stats are fantastic. There's no surprise that he would turn up today. Brilliant finish.

"It's amazing with what he's done in the game of football over the last 20-odd years, there's still relief for him there.

"It shows you how much he cares about the game. Cristiano was never gone. He is the man. What is up with everybody? Doubted genius.

"We met Tom Brady the other day. He is up there with all these sports people. He's the man. Great to see him back. His two goals were excellent.

"The hardest point of the game is putting the ball in the back of the net... and he does."

Keane continued: "What you have to admire about Ronaldo on top of everything else... A billionaire, who has won everything apart from the World Cup, but the hunger, and desire to keep getting in there. To me, that is the great example for these lads.

"That hunger to keep getting goals."

The goals might have come as a relief to the 41-year-old, given it also ended a run of one strike across his last eight World Cup outings.

But they were the making him Portugal's top scorer at World Cups, ahead of the legendary Eusebio.

Ronaldo's first came back in 2006, when he netted during a 2-0 victory over Iran.

Four years later, he was on target in a 7-0 thrashing of North Korea, before converting the winner in a 2-1 success against Ghana at the 2014 tournament.

The 2018 edition in Russia was his crowning glory, thanks to a hat-trick against Spain and goal against Morocco.

Ghana were again on the end of a Ronaldo strike in Qatar four years ago.

Amazingly, none of his 10 goals have come in knockout games.

"The man turned up," added ITV pundit Gary Neville, who was also a team-mate of Ronaldo's at Old Trafford. "This is the moment. Elation. It's a hell of a finish, by the way.

"I'm not qualified to talk about finishing, but that looks pretty difficult; bouncing in front of him. Elation, anger, relief. Every emotion in the world, right there in front of you."

Former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney, working for BBC Sport, added: "With all the other top players scoring goals at this tournament, at 41, to score two goals at the World Cup is incredible. He didn't have the best game, but this is what he does.

"He's taken a bit of criticism and this is how he responds. He has done that his whole career. He wants to be the best at what he does, and he's always been like that.

"When the other forwards and attacking players are scoring goals, he wants to top that list. His response here is exactly what you'd expect from him.

"He's selfish in terms of he wants to be the best, but he is a team player also. To watch Messi last night and Ronaldo tonight at their age, it's incredible what they are doing."

Ronaldo also made further history with the strike. At 41 years, 138 days, he became the second-oldest goalscorer in the World Cup.

The only man ahead of him in that field is Roger Milla.

The Cameroon forward became a cult figure during their Italia '90 campaign, when he bagged braces against both Nigeria and Colombia.

Four years later, he was on target in the USA, striking during a 6-1 defeat to Russia at the ripe old age of 42 years, 39 days.

Ronaldo would therefore have to play on until the 2030 World Cup to break that record.

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