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Cristiano Ronaldo International Goals: Cristiano Ronaldo scripted history by breaking yet another record as he seems to be getting better and better with every passing day, when it comes to continuing his remarkable goal-scoring run. Ronaldo scored a brace to help Portugal play out a 2-2 draw in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match against Hungary.

Ronaldo has become the first player in the world to score 40 goals in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

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He broke the record set by Guatemalan player Carlos Ruiz. Ruiz scored 39 goals in FIFA World Cup qualifiers for his national team, whereas Ronaldo took his tally to 41 on the back of an incredible performance against Hungary. The veteran forward opened his goal account in the 22nd minute of the match played at José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon and scored the second goal in the 45+3rd minute of the first half.

Most goals in FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 41 goals in 51 matches

Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala): 39 goals in 47 matches

Lionel Messi (Argentina): 36 goals in 72 matches

Ali Daei (Iran): 35 goals in 51 matches

Robert Lewandowski (Poland): 33 goals in 42 matches

Luis Suarez (Uruguay): 29 goals in 64 matches

Edin Dzeko (Bosnia & Herzegovina): 29 goals in 42 matches

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While Portugal were heading towards an early qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on the back of Ronaldo's brace, Dominik Szoboszlai struck in stoppage time to make Robert Martinez's wait and boost his nation’s hopes of making it to the marquee tournament, which is scheduled to be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

With a total of 4,295 minutes played in qualifiers, Robaldo averages a goal involvement every 91 minutes. His conversion rate stands at an impressive 15.9 per cent, having taken on a total of 259 shots. He is already the top goal-scorer in the history of international football, and a brace against Hungary took his tally to 143.

"We are getting closer to our goal! Let’s go, Portugal," said Ronaldo on X after the game.

Roberto Martinez’s side top Group F with 10 points, five clear of Hungary. "We didn’t manage the game in the last 10 minutes well enough," admitted Spanish coach Martinez.

"If you don’t kill the game, you need to know how to manage it until the end. Today we stopped playing and Hungary equalised."

 

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