Records broken by Cristiano Ronaldo in the World Cup
What's the story
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been on fire in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The ace marksman scored a hat-trick against Spain to secure a point for Portugal and then scored a brilliant header against Morocco to guide his side to victory. Here we take a look at the records that the Real Madrid talisman has already-broken in this edition of the World Cup.
Among the elite
Ronaldo has scored in all his four World Cups
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 4 goals in this edition which is 1 more than the total goal tally of his previous three editions. The five-time 'World Player of the Year' is only the fourth player in history to score a goal in four consecutive World Cups. He netted just one goal in each of his three previous World Cups.
Sharpshooter
Ronaldo can score from anywhere
Cristiano Ronaldo is only the second Portuguese player to score a goal at the World Cup from outside the box. The 33-year-old achieved the feat when he scored his second goal against Spain in Portugal's opening game. The other Portuguese player to achieve the feat is Deco, who scored from a long-range shot against Iran in the 2006 edition of the World Cup.
Twitter Post
Ronaldo is aging gracefully
33y 130d - Cristiano Ronaldo is the oldest ever player to score a World Cup hat-trick. History. #PORESP #POR #ESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/iV00RitrmU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018
Nemesis
First player to score a World Cup hat-trick against Spain
Spain entered the tournament as favorites as they are one of the top sides in the world. But even they couldn't contain the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo who became the first player to score a hat-trick against the 2010 champions. He is only the third Portuguese player, and the oldest, to score a hat-trick at the World Cup.
Twitter Post
Symmetry of hat-tricks
51 - Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his 51st career hat-trick (club and country), and his treble was also the 51st hat-trick scored in World Cup history. Symmetry. #PORESP #POR #ESP #WorldCup
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018
Relieved
The dead ball specialist
Cristiano Ronaldo has built himself a name as a free-kick specialist. You know if CR7 is on the other end of a free-kick, he is likely to score. However, the goal he scored from the direct free-kick against Spain was his first free-kick goal at a major tournament in 45 attempts. It would definitely rank as one of his best goals.
Twitter Post
Portugal's talisman
Since 9th November 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in more games for #POR than he has *not* scored in.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 20, 2018
55 games
28 games scored in
27 games not scored in
48 goals in total. pic.twitter.com/swd0JqJlMY
Top of the charts
Europe's leading goal-scorer
Ronaldo's header against Morocco took his goal tally to 85 for Portugal, thus making him the leading international goal-scorer in Europe. The 33-year-old sharpshooter surpassed Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas who had scored 84 goals in 85 caps for his nation. Iran's Ali Daei, with 109 goals, is the all-time leading goal-scorer in international football.
Twitter Post
Ronaldo is the complete player
2 - Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first Portugal player since José Torres in 1966 to score a goal with his right foot, left foot and head in a single World Cup tournament. Collection. #POR #MAR #PORMAR #Ronaldo #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/liZrUSyXmq
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 20, 2018