Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five different FIFA World Cup tournaments with his opening goal vs Ghana on Thursday. He drew a controversial foul inside the box and stepped up to take the penalty, as he has 23 times previously on international duty. The Portugal star slotted home the penalty to give A Seleção a 1-0 lead in their opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Here’s the history-making moment.
RONALDO MAKES HISTORY
With this goal, he becomes the first men's player to score in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments 🔥🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/PxWP4Z5z8o
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 24, 2022
Out of this world 🇵🇹
🖐 Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first man to score at five FIFA World Cups#FIFAWorldCup | @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/3UKqXLsZWd
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022
Though Ronaldo (seen above scoring in the 2018 World Cup) was the first man to accomplish this feat, it was first achieved in 2019 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup by Marta. Christine Sinclair joined her later in the same tournament. The Brazil and Canada legends scored in the Women’s World Cups in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.
On another planet! 🌎
Cristiano joins Marta and Christine Sinclair in scoring at five different FIFA World Cups ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ #FIFAWorldCup | #FIFAWWC | @sincy12
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) November 24, 2022
Ronaldo, no stranger to the record books, also extended his lead as the men’s all-time leading goal scorer for country with 118 in 192 appearances. He passed Ali Daei of Iran in a World Cup Qualifying match in September 2021 vs. Ireland. He had chances to add to his tally in the first half, but failed to convert on a leaping header.
The legend has been in the news for his off-the-pitch comments recently, and mutually agreed to part ways with Manchester United Tuesday after blasting the club and manager Erik ten Hag earlier this month.
[Fox Soccer on Twitter; photo from Leonel de Castro/Global Images/Sipa USA via USA Today Sports]
