LISBON – Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shatter football's history books, proving age is just a number after firing a sensational brace for Portugal in their thrilling 2-2 draw against Hungary this week. The landmark performance saw the veteran striker become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, firmly placing another near-unreachable record in his legendary portfolio.
The electrifying qualifier took place at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. Despite falling behind to an early Hungarian goal in the 8th minute, Ronaldo, the 40-year-old captain, swiftly restored parity and then some. His first goal, a clinical, close-range finish in the 22nd minute, marked his 40th goal in qualifying matches, officially surpassing the long-held record of 39 goals set by Guatemalan legend Carlos Ruiz.
The record was immediately extended just before the halftime whistle. In the 45+3' minute, Ronaldo expertly converted a delivery from Nuno Mendes with an instinctive touch, bringing his new, undisputed tally to 41 World Cup qualifying goals.
Widening the Gap with Lionel Messi
Ronaldo’s new benchmark adds another powerful entry to his ongoing statistical duel with Lionel Messi. The Argentinian maestro currently sits third in the all-time World Cup qualifying ranks with 36 goals, meaning Ronaldo has now established a significant five-goal lead over his great contemporary in this specific category.
Beyond the qualifying charts, the brace also had wider statistical implications for the Portuguese icon:
Career Goals: His overall professional career goal total (for club and country) now stands at an astonishing 948 goals.
International Goals: He extended his record for the most goals in men's international football to 143 goals for Portugal.
Qualification Delayed by Late Drama
Despite the historic individual performance, Portugal was ultimately denied the victory that would have immediately secured their place at the 2026 World Cup Finals. After Ronaldo gave them a crucial 2-1 lead, the defensive resilience of Hungary held firm, capped by a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer (90+1') scored by Liverpool's star midfielder, Dominik Szoboszlai.
The draw forces Roberto Martínez's side to wait until the final round of fixtures in November to officially complete their qualification task. However, sitting five points clear at the top of Group F, Portugal's path to the finals remains highly secure.
The 1,000-Goal Chase
Ronaldo’s focus now shifts from record-breaking to milestone-chasing. With 948 career goals, he is just 52 strikes shy of the monumental and unprecedented 1,000-goal mark. His ability to maintain elite performance and scoring frequency, even as he enters his fifth decade, is a testament to his professionalism and unwavering hunger.
For fans and analysts alike, the question is no longer if Ronaldo will set new records, but when he will reach the ultimate four-figure scoring target—a feat that would likely stand for generations.
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