Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to a big 2-1 comeback win over Croatia, and achieved two impressive records in World Cup history. Cristiano Ronaldo added two more entries to the World Cup record books during Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in the Round of 32, cementing his place as one of the most decorated players in the tournament’s history at the age of 41.
The forward was a key figure in the match, scoring Portugal‘s equalizer exactly when his team needed it most. Beyond helping his side complete a big comeback, the goal also allowed him to continue making history.
At 41 years and 147 days old, Ronaldo became the oldest player to ever score in a World Cup knockout-stage match, converting the second-half penalty that leveled the score at 1-1 and set up Portugal’s late comeback.
The mark comfortably surpasses the previous record holders: his former Portugal teammate Pepe, who was 39 when he last found the net in a knockout match, and Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who was 38.
SIIUUU! CRISTIANO RONALDO SCORES HIS FIRST CAREER KNOCKOUT STAGE GOAL AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP 🇵🇹The legendary CR7 brings Portugal level from the spot! pic.twitter.com/BJ80AM0zhg— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026
Another longevity record
Ronaldo’s outstanding performance also earned him Player of the Match honors, making him the oldest player ever named MVP of a World Cup knockout-stage match.
The gap here is even larger than his scoring record. The previous oldest recipients of the award in a knockout match were France’s Olivier Giroud, who was 36, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who was 35 — meaning Ronaldo broke the mark by several years rather than by a matter of months.
*Developing story