Cristiano Ronaldo match grades: CR7 answers critics with World Cup record against overmatched Uzbekistan

After the false start of their opening 1-1 draw against DR Congo, Portugal got their World Cup campaign off and running in Dallas on Tuesday.

Tournament debutants Uzbekistan were dispatched 5-0 as the Selecao moved to the top of Group K ahead of Colombia's match with the Congolese later in the day.

But how did Cristiano Ronaldo perform after his much-criticised display last time out?

Here, we have a breakdown of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's performance against Uzbekistan and a grade out of 10.

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Cristiano Ronaldo match grades

• Match grade: 8

Ronaldo's badly miscued volley from Nuno Mendes' early cross suggested his Congo woes were not out of his system.

However, that was an early warning that Uzbekistan did not heed. Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez placed the onus on full-backs Mendes and Joao Cancelo to provide the width and open up the supply line to Ronaldo. 

It paid dividends in the sixth minute and Cancelo fired in a low cross to find Ronaldo at the near post. His movement to find space was superb, and he made a finish that was not simple appear routine by hammering low into the corner.

Ronaldo's second gave him the chance to show some of his erstwhile running prowess as Bruno Fernandes placed him through on the break and he unerringly slotted home.

MORE: Inside Ronaldo's 20 years of World Cup goals

But maybe Ronaldo's most significant contribution here was on Portugal's second goal when he did...nothing. The Selecao had a free-kick on the edge of the Uzbek box and Ronaldo stood over the ball. He can be overbearing in these situations and his free-kick record is one of diminishing returns. The angle suited a left-footer and Ronaldo stepped aside to let that happen. Mendes strode to the ball and clattered it low into the net.

It was an example of the wider story that Ronaldo did not hinder his gifted teammates at any point. He was a working part of the collective. It hasn't looked like that on this stage for some time.

With the game done, Ronaldo rattled off shot after shot - seven overall - in search of a hat-trick that did not come, but Portugal fans will hope this can be a freeing experience for their star forward with bigger challenges lying ahead.

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Did Cristiano Ronaldo score today?

Ronaldo's two goals made him the first man to score at six World Cups.

He broke a record he set himself, having breached new ground by scoring at a fifth tournament in Qatar three-and-a-half years ago.

The double against Uzbekistan moved Ronaldo onto 10 World Cup goals overall, one ahead of the great Eusebio to become Portugal's all-time leading scorer at the tournament.