Portugal's talismanic striker Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name in the history books by becoming the first footballer to score in six different World Cups. In the second quarter, the former Real Madrid star scored his second goal of the match, which took him past legendary Portuguese defender Eusebio. In the process, he became the all-time leading goal scorer for his country in the World Cup.
The goal also made him the second-oldest player to score in World Cup history, behind Cameroon's Roger Milla, who was 42 when he found the net at the 1994 tournament in the United States.
Ronaldo's strike came after he faced criticism for not scoring in Portugal's 1-1 draw against Congo in their opening match.
This year, Ronaldo and Argentina captain Lionel
Messi became the first players to feature in six different World Cup editions. Ronaldo's scoring run began with his debut in 2006 and continued through the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Although he shares the record for most World Cup appearances with Messi, Ronaldo stands apart for scoring in every edition he has played, a feat Messi could not match after failing to score in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Goals In The FIFA World Cup
- Goal 1: vs Iran (2006) - Netted a 79th-minute penalty in a 2-0 group-stage win.
- Goal 2: vs North Korea (2010) - Scored the sixth goal in a 7-0 group-stage routing.
- Goal 3: vs Ghana (2014) - Smashed home an 80th-minute winner in a 2-1 group-stage match.
- Goal 4: vs Spain (2018) - Converted a 4th-minute penalty to open a dramatic group match.
- Goal 5: vs Spain (2018) - Fired a low shot that slipped past goalkeeper David de Gea.
- Goal 6: vs Spain (2018) - Curled a brilliant 88th-minute free-kick to secure his first World Cup hat-trick (3-3).
- Goal 7: vs Morocco (2018) - Powered in a 4th-minute diving header for a 1-0 group-stage victory.
- Goal 8: vs Ghana (2022) - Hammered home a 65th-minute penalty in a 3-2 group opener.
- Goal 9: vs Uzbekistan (2026) - Slotted home a clinical finish in the 6th minute to open his 6th World Cup tournament.
- Goal 10: vs Uzbekistan (2026) - Netted a first-half brace in the 39th minute to reach double digits in the tournament.
