Cristiano Ronaldo becomes oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup knockouts
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Ronaldo scored in the 68th minute in tonight’s Round of 32 clash.
Portugal faced Croatia in a feisty Round of 32 fixture in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, on July 2. The Vatreni took the lead in the second half via Ivan Perisic, but Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot to draw his side level.
Croatia took the lead after Josip Stanisic floated in a brilliant ball into the box from the right. The ball was flicked onto the path of Ivan Perisic. He chested it down before firing a powerful shot into the bottom corner past Diogo Costa.
The Selecao das Quinas responded positively to going down. Their pressure paid off when Nikola Vlasic was penalised for pulling Renato Veiga down in the box. The referee awarded a spot kick after watching the replay on the pitch-side monitor.
Ronaldo stepped up and drilled the ball into the back of the net, completely fooling Dominik Livakovic.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo to retire from international football after FIFA World Cup 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic goal
The goal was a big one for his nation, but it was also a momentous occasion for the legendary forward. He had already become the first 41-year-old to appear in a knockout match in the World Cup.
The goal was his first-ever in the knockout stages of the quadrennial tournament (2026). It also made him the oldest player ever to score in a World Cup knockout match.
The goal sparked a comeback for the Portuguese side, who eventually grabbed the winner deep in stoppage time through Goncalo Ramos. As a result, Portugal will face Spain in the Round of 16.
Who is the oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup knockouts?
Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match at 41 years old.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.