Croatia also beat Panama 1-0 to stay alive in Group L, eliminating the Central American side after two straight defeats.
Portugal produced the statement performance of the day, beating Uzbekistan 5-0 in a Group K match in Houston.
Ronaldo, who had been quiet in Portugal’s opening 1-1 draw with DR Congo, struck in the sixth and 39th minutes to put Portugal in control before halftime.
The goals made him the first player to score in six different World Cups. His opener against Uzbekistan was also his first World Cup goal from open play since his header against Morocco in 2018.
Nuno Mendes scored Portugal’s second goal with a free kick in the 17th minute, before Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov conceded an own goal in the second half. Rafael Leao completed the scoring late in the match.
The victory lifted Portugal to four points and put them on the verge of the knockout stage after their flat start against DR Congo, though they still need at least a draw against Colombia to remove any uncertainty over a top-two finish.
Uzbekistan, playing in their first World Cup, stayed on zero points after two defeats. They are not mathematically eliminated, but their heavy goal-difference deficit leaves them with only a slim third-place route.
In Group L, England failed to turn possession into goals in a 0-0 draw with Ghana in Boston.
England did not register a shot on target in the first half as Ghana sat deep, defended in two compact lines and made clear that a point would suit their plan.
The game opened up after halftime, and England created several chances, but Ghana’s defensive structure held.
Ghana, who had beaten Panama with a late winner in their opening match, achieved exactly what they needed. The draw moved them to four points and put them in a strong position in the race for the Round of 32.
England also moved to four points but missed the chance to secure early qualification after opening the tournament with a 4-2 win over Croatia.
Croatia then kept their own hopes alive with a tense 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto, giving Luka Modric a victory in his 200th international appearance.
Panama, who qualified as the top team from CONCACAF excluding the three co-hosts, showed their strength in the first half and hit the post as they tried to take their first points of the tournament.
But Croatia broke through in the second half when Ante Budimir finished from the right side after a cross and attacking move involving Marco Pasalic and Josip Stanisic.
Panama responded with pace on both wings and continued to threaten after falling behind, but they could not find an equalizer.
The last match of the day saw Colombia beat DR Congo 1-0 in Group K at Guadalajara Stadium.
Colombia controlled much of the match but had to work hard for the breakthrough, with two goals ruled out for offside or a foul.
The decisive moment came in the second half when Daniel Munoz scored from the right side of the penalty area, his shot taking a deflection before finding the net.
DR Congo, who had earned a 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match, nearly rescued a point in stoppage time, but their late shot was kept out by Colombia’s goalkeeper.
The win moved Colombia to six points from two matches and secured their place in the knockout stage.
DR Congo need to beat Uzbekistan to keep a realistic knockout route alive, while Uzbekistan must win and hope to survive through the third-placed team ranking.
In Group L, England and Ghana remain on four points, with Croatia on three and Panama eliminated.
England need at least a draw against Panama to guarantee a top-two finish, while Ghana can do the same against Croatia. Croatia must beat Ghana to move into the top two, though a draw or defeat could still leave them waiting on the third-placed team ranking.
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