The Real Madrid star found the net after just eight minutes, beating goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev with a strong header from close range, and Stanislav Cherchesov's side were unable to find a response.
Russia were high on confidence following their 2-0 win over New Zealand, whereas morale was somewhat low in the Portugal camp after they conceded a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Mexico.
It was all Portugal in Moscow, though, and Ronaldo eventually led his side to victory amid a tumultuous personal period off the pitch. The 32-year-old has been linked with a move away from Madrid following scrutiny over his tax affairs in Spain. Ronaldo continued to cause the Russian defence all kinds of trouble in the opening stages and he was unfortunate not to double Portugal's lead at the half-hour mark, Akinfeev pulling off a superb save to deny the forward from six yards out after a rapid counterattack.
The hosts first threatened late in the first half when Aleksandr Golovin reached Fedor Smolov with a low cross from the right, only for the Krasnodar star to aim his left-footed effort well wide of the Portugal goal.
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