Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal maintain their perfect start to World Cup qualifying with a 3-2 win against Hungary on Tuesday, and his second-half goal saw him equal yet another record
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Lionel Messi further behind after equalling another remarkable goalscoring record in Portugal’s 3-2 victory over Hungary. Ronaldo, 40, netted a penalty during the second half in Budapest, putting his side ahead after Hungary took the lead 21 minutes into Tuesday’s clash.
The Portugal captain’s goal was cancelled out with just six minutes of normal time remaining but Joao Cancelo quickly replied to ensure that Roberto Martinez’s team took home all three points. Ronaldo’s spot-kick extended his record for the most goals scored in men’s international football (141).
But it also made him the joint-top goalscorer in the history of World Cup qualifying. Having scored twice during Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Armenia, Ronaldo now has 39th goals in World Cup qualifiers.
That’s level with Guatemala legend Carlos Ruiz and, crucially for Ronaldo, three ahead of eternal rival Lionel Messi, who scored two goals for Argentina during the international window. Another goal during Portugal’s next match in Group F, at home to the Republic of Ireland next month, would see him become the outright top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history.
Ronaldo recently lifted the Nations League trophy for the second time in six years and Portugal have built on their success with a perfect start to their qualifying campaign. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner and his team-mates are already three points clear at the top of Group F, with two wins from their opening two games.
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Ronaldo reflected his nation’s perfect start on Instagram, posting after the win: “Two games, two wins. Let’s go Portugal!”
The former Manchester United superstar is just 57 goals away from reaching 1,000 for his career. But Ronaldo’s primary focus this season will be on team accolades.
After nearly three years in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, the striker is yet to lift a major trophy. Ronaldo is also desperate to win the World Cup in 2026 and equal Messi’s tally.
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Ronaldo, however, claims that lifting the European Championship with Portugal in 2016 was the same as winning a World Cup, which Messi did in 2022. “Portugal winning a Euros is equivalent to a World Cup,” the 40-year-old declared.
“I’ve already won two trophies for Portugal (the Nations League and Euros) that I really wanted. I’m not motivated by that. I’m motivated to enjoy football and records appear in a natural way. I don’t chase records, they’re the ones who chase me.”
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