Key Takeaways:
- Cristiano Ronaldo set a new World Cup qualifying goals record with two goals against Hungary on Tuesday at the age of 40
- Ronaldo reached 41 goals in World Cup qualifiers, surpassing Carlos Ruiz’s tally of 39
- Portugal drew with Hungary as Ronaldo’s brace was matched by the opponents in a 2-2 final scoreline
Record-Breaking Night for Cristiano Ronaldo
On Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name in football history by becoming the highest goal scorer in World Cup qualifying campaigns. The Portuguese icon achieved this feat as he found the net twice against Hungary, reaching a new milestone of 41 goals in World Cup qualifier matches at the age of 40.
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πΌππππππ record for Cristiano Ronaldo! π΅πΉ pic.twitter.com/ZaJnJqzRIc
— 433 (@433) October 14, 2025
Surpassing the Previous Record
With his latest exploits, Ronaldo moved ahead of Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala, who had recorded 39 goals in qualifiers between 1998 and 2016. Ronaldo’s 40th and 41st goals now place him alone at the summit of this prestigious scoring list.
| Player | Goals in World Cup Qualifiers | National Team | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 41 | Portugal | 2003-? |
| Carlos Ruiz | 39 | Guatemala | 1998-2016 |
Match Analysis: Portugal Held to Draw by Resilient Hungary
The five-time Ballon d’Or recipient levelled proceedings for Portugal in the 22nd minute, converting from a NΓ©lson Semedo cross during the World Cup 2026 qualifier. Ronaldo struck again shortly before the break, this time capitalising on an assist from Nuno Mendes to put Portugal in the lead at 2-1. Nevertheless, Hungary responded with an equaliser, and the contest concluded with both sides sharing the points.
