‘First step taken’: Criano Ronaldo surpasses Lionel Messi’s record with brace in Portugal’s WC 2026 qualifying opener | Football News

Goal machine Criano Ronaldo began his bid for a sixth FIFA World Cup finals appearance with characteric flair, scoring twice and breaking records as Portugal routed Armenia 5-0 in their WC Qualifiers opener on Saturday night.
After his Al-Nassr teammate Joao Felix opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Ronaldo doubled Portugal’s lead in the 21st minute with his 139th international goal. The 40-year-old expertly brushed past his defender to connect with a cross from close range.
Ronaldo surpasses Messi’s record with stunner
Joao Cancelo extended Portugal’s lead to three goals in the 32nd minute, scoring from a cut-back pass Felix. Just a minute into the second half, Ronaldo scored his second goal with a brilliant, long-range volley that flew into the net. Although the Armenian goalkeeper, Henri Avagyan, got a faint touch on the ball, he was unable to stop its powerful trajectory. With his 140th strike for Portugal, Ronaldo surpassed his long-time rival Lionel Messi on the all-time goal-scoring charts in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, moving up to 38 goals in 48 appearances, edging the Argentinian superstar’s 36 goals in 72 matches.
WATCH: Ronaldo’s 140th international goal

What a goal this was, Ronaldo makes it 4 for Portugal.
Armenia 0-4 Portugalpic.twitter.com/CIpkh8FkjQ
— Bloke (@UtdBloke_) September 6, 2025
Ronaldo will be firmly in contention to top the charts when the UEFA Nations League winners go up against Hungary later next week and have four other games left in the qualifiers. Only Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz has scored more goals in WC qualifiers, standing one ahead of Ronaldo with 39 goals in 47 appearances.
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PLAYER
COUNTRY
MTS
GOALS

Carlos Ruiz
Guatemala
47
39

Criano Ronaldo
Portugal
48
38

Lionel Messi
Argentina
72
36

Ali Daei
Iran
51
35

Robert Lewandowski
Poland
40
31

Luis Suarez
Uruguay
64
29

Portugal’s ‘first step’ without Jota
The contest at the Yerevan Stadium was an emotional night for the Portuguese as they braced up for their first match since the tragic passing of star forward Diogo Jota in a car crash in July. Defender Cancelo celebrated his goal with Jota’s trademark video game celebration.
Portugal left-back Nuno Tavares said that Ronaldo’s goal in the 21st minute was especially meaningful because it was a tribute to Jota, who wore the number 21 jersey for the national team.
“We’re all very happy because it shows he’s with us, that he was there, and that moment, Ronaldo’s goal, was made possible. He’ll always be with us, as was clear today,” the defender said.Story continues below this ad
Ronaldo also took to social media, stating that this victory was the “first step taken” in his bid to play in a sixth World Cup next  year.
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