Ronaldo's Reign: How a Double Against Hungary Secured a World Record

Cristiano Ronaldo once again etched his name into football history, scoring two goals in Portugal’s 3-2 victory over Hungary on Tuesday to become the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifiers.

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The 40-year-old superstar reached 41 goals in the competition, leading his team to another crucial win in their campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

In front of 65,000 fans in Lisbon, Ronaldo delivered when it mattered most. After Hungary took an early lead, he leveled the score in the 21st minute with a sharp finish from a low cross.

Just before halftime, he struck again, heading in a second goal to give Portugal a 2-1 advantage. The victory keeps Portugal at the top of their qualifying group with a perfect record.

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A New World Record

With his 41st goal in 52 qualifying matches, Ronaldo surpassed Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz, who held the previous record with 39 goals.

This milestone is another testament to Ronaldo's incredible longevity and consistency, a journey that began with his first qualifying goal back in the 2006 World Cup campaign.

Over five qualifying cycles, his goal-scoring has only intensified, peaking with 11 goals during the 2018 qualifiers and now 10 goals in the current campaign.

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How He Compares to Other Legends

Ronaldo's achievement places him firmly ahead of other legendary goal-scorers in international football.

• Lionel Messi (Argentina): The retired Argentine icon holds third place with 36 goals in 72 qualifying matches.
  
  
• Ali Daei (Iran): A dominant force in Asian football, Daei scored 35 goals in 47 qualifying appearances.
  
  
• Robert Lewandowski (Poland): Still active, the Polish striker has 33 goals in 42 matches and continues to be a major threat in European qualifiers.
  
  

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An Unmatched Legacy for Portugal

Since his debut in 2003, Ronaldo has been the heart of the Portuguese national team. He holds the world record for most international goals with an astonishing 143 in 216 appearances.

He famously led Portugal to victory at the 2016 Euros and has won the Nations League twice.

At 40, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. With his sights set on playing in his sixth World Cup in 2026, he continues to maintain peak physical condition.

His leadership and unmatched ability to find the back of the net remain Portugal's greatest assets as they aim for another appearance on football's biggest stage.

Source: mixvale

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