Goals against IR Iran, Korea DPR, Ghana, Spain and Morocco have ensured Cristiano Ronaldo will go down in FIFA World Cup folklore.
Goals against IR Iran, Korea DPR, Ghana, Spain and Morocco have ensured Cristiano Ronaldo will go down in FIFA World Cup folklore.
Today marks Cristiano Ronaldo's 40th birthday, with the Portuguese superstar still going strong and firing in goals for club and country. To honour the immortal forward and his incredible longevity, FIFA has taken a trip down memory lane to relive all eight of his FIFA World Cup™ goals.
Goal 1: Portugal 2-0 IR Iran
Ronaldo opened his World Cup account against IR Iran at Germany 2006. With the Europeans a goal to the good heading into the final ten minutes, the Manchester United star made the game safe from 12 yards, sending Ebrahim Mirzapour the wrong way with an emphatic penalty.
Goal 2: Portugal 7-0 Korea DPR
His first global finals goal as Portugal captain came at South Africa 2010, with his strike against Korea DPR one of the most unique scored at the World Cup. With Ronaldo through, goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk raced out and slid in, sending the ball into the air and Portugal's No7 off balance. The ball bounced off Ronaldo's neck and head, before dropping on to his right foot to net the sixth of seven unanswered Portugal strikes.
Goal 3: Portugal 2-1 Ghana
Ronaldo made it a hat-trick of World Cups scored in during the final group-stage match at Brazil 2014, volleying in against Ghana after a mix up in the Black Stars defence. While it proved to be the winner in a 2-1 success, it couldn't prevent his side from elimination.
Goals 4, 5 and 6: Spain 3-3 Portugal
Undoubtedly Ronaldo's greatest World Cup performance so far came against neighbours Spain in their opening Russia 2018 match.
He won and converted a penalty just four minutes in to open the scoring, and while Portugal were quickly pegged back by Diego Costa, Ronaldo reinstated the advantage just before half-time when his weak effort squirmed past David de Gea. Two quick-fire Spain goals turned the game on its head shortly after the break, but Ronaldo had the last laugh when his superb 88th-minute free-kick flew beyond the Spain wall and into the back of the net.
Goal 7: Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Ronaldo's first free-kick goal was quickly followed by his maiden header at the tournament next time out. With less than five minutes on the clock against Morocco, he stooped to conquer from a Joao Moutinho corner, powering home what proved to be the winner.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
Goal 8: Portugal 3-2 Ghana
History was made at Qatar's Stadium 974 when Ronaldo became the first player ever to score at five FIFA World Cups by smashing home a penalty against Ghana.
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