'It was important for our captain to score' - Bruno Fernandes on Ronaldo
Bruno Fernandes expressed his relief as Cristiano Ronaldo opened his 2026 World Cup scoring account during Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has voiced his delight after seeing teammate Cristiano Ronaldo open his scoring account at the 2026 World Cup. The breakthrough came during a dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Tuesday, providing a significant boost to Portugal's campaign.
Fernandes, who provided the assist for Portugal's third goal, noted the importance of the captain finding the net after facing intense media scrutiny recently. Ronaldo's brace in the match saw him make history as the first male player to score in six different World Cups.
It was important for our captain to score. It was important for us that he scored. He's our go-to player in attack. We're very happy for him. Bruno Fernandes
The win was a vital response following a lackluster goalless draw against DR Congo in their opening fixture. Fernandes, who enjoyed a record-breaking season with Manchester United, insisted that his focus remains entirely on the national team's success rather than personal statistics.
Portugal now shifts focus to their final group stage challenge. The squad will travel to Miami to face Colombia on Saturday in a decisive battle for the top spot in Group K. With Colombia already qualified for the knockout stages, both teams are expected to compete fiercely to secure the lead in the group.