Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout stage goal. He scored from a penalty in the 68th minute of Portugal’s round of 32 match against Croatia. He is now the oldest player to score in a knockout stage match at 41 years old.
He thought he had scored moments earlier but it was ruled offside. He now has 23 offside calls at the World Cup, the second-most of any player.
Before this match, he had taken 29 shots in eight knockout games without scoring. That was tied for the most of any player since 1966.
He now has 11 World Cup goals. That puts him in a tie for ninth-most all-time with Jürgen Klinsmann and Sándor Kocsis. He has played 26 World Cup matches, the second-most behind Lionel Messi.
Ivan Perisic had given Croatia the lead earlier in the second half. Croatia came out with intent and took the lead through Perisic.
The match could be the final World Cup appearance for either Ronaldo, 41, or Luka Modric, 40. The two were teammates at Real Madrid for six seasons.
Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Second-Oldest Goalscorer in FIFA World Cup History
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty against Croatia on July 2, 2026, to level the match at 1-1. The goal was awarded after a VAR check confirmed a foul on his teammate Renato Veiga. It was his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout stage.
At the time of the goal, Ronaldo was 41 years and 147 days old. He became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history. He also became the oldest player to score in a knockout stage match.
The record for the oldest goalscorer is held by Roger Milla of Cameroon. Milla was 42 years and 39 days old when he scored against Russia in the 1994 World Cup.
The top five oldest World Cup goalscorers are Roger Milla at 42 years and 39 days, Cristiano Ronaldo at 41 years and 147 days, Pepe at 39 years and 283 days, Lionel Messi at 38 years and 363 days, and Gunnar Gren at 37 years and 236 days.
The all-time record remains out of reach, but Ronaldo’s penalty cements his place as the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history.
Portugal and Croatia have never met at the World Cup before. The winner will face Spain in the round of 16 on 6 July in Dallas.
Who is the oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history?
Roger Milla holds the record as the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history. He set the record at the age of 42 years and 39 days. He scored his goal on June 28, 1994, in Cameroon’s group match against Russia. He came on as a substitute and scored within a minute. Cameroon lost the match 6-1.
Milla is a Cameroonian former forward. He is one of the first African players to become a major international star. In 2007, he was named the best African player of the previous 50 years. He was also named in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players.
This was not his first time setting the record. He first became the oldest goalscorer at the 1990 World Cup when he was 38 years and 34 days old.
For Milla, the individual record is secondary to his team’s achievement at the 1990 World Cup. He scored four goals and helped Cameroon become the first African team to reach the quarter-finals. He has said that nothing gave him more satisfaction than that achievement.
Milla believes his record will be very difficult to beat. He said football is physically demanding and it is not easy to play on at that age. He also said his record is just one of many and that Pele’s three World Cups stand out the most.
FAQs
Q. How old was Cristiano Ronaldo when he scored against Croatia?
A. Cristiano Ronaldo was 41 years and 147 days old.
Q. Who is the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history?
A. Roger Milla holds the record after scoring at 42 years and 39 days old.
Q. How many World Cup goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored?
A. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 11 World Cup goals.
Q. How many World Cup matches has Cristiano Ronaldo played?
A. Cristiano Ronaldo has played 26 World Cup matches.
Q. Who will the winner of Portugal vs Croatia play next?
A. The winner will play Spain in the Round of 16.
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