Portugal's 5-0 Rout Lifts Ronaldo as England Slip in 48-Team World Cup Re-Rank

Q: As legends rewrite history, are Messi's goals or Ronaldo's streak having the greater tournament impact?

Messi’s goals are having the greater tournament impact. Ronaldo’s feat is historic and rare: by scoring twice in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, he became the first man to score in six different World Cups and Portugal’s all-time World Cup top scorer with 10. At 41, that is a remarkable statement of longevity and finishing power, and it has revived Portugal’s campaign. But Messi’s influence is more decisive on the tournament itself because it is directly driving Argentina’s results. He has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in two wins, including a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria, sending his team into the knockout stage. He also became the men’s World Cup all-time leading scorer with 18, overtaking Miroslav Klose during this tournament, which gives the achievement immediate competitive weight as well as historical significance. The difference is team dependence and match impact. Ronaldo’s double came in a one-sided win and strengthened Portugal’s outlook. Messi’s goals have effectively been Argentina’s entire attack so far, shaping both their progression and the wider title race. That is why Argentina remain near the top of the rankings and why Messi is central to the tournament narrative. So while Ronaldo’s streak may be the more unique personal milestone, Messi’s scoring is having the bigger effect on results, momentum and the championship picture.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 24

Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan put Cristiano Ronaldo at the center of day 13, with his double making him the first man to score at six World Cups and easing scrutiny over his place.
The result still did not crack The Athletic's top 10, with Portugal held at No. 13 because Uzbekistan's inexperienced defense tempered the significance of the rout ahead of a sterner test against Colombia.
England slid one place to No. 5 after a flat 0-0 draw with Ghana, while Spain rose to No. 4 after a 4-0 response against Saudi Arabia.
France stayed No. 1 after beating Iraq 3-0 behind two more Kylian Mbappe goals, with Argentina second and Germany third as the top of the rankings remained largely unchanged.