Thursday , March 28 2024

CRISTIANO RONALDO BREAKS RECORD WITH HEADER AGAINST MOROCCO

Ronaldo’s early headed goal against Morocco saw him surpass the legendary Ferenc Puskas as Europe’s all-time leading goal scorer.

The 33-year-old Portuguese skipper continued his World Cup 2018 scoring streak with an early header against Morocco, to become Europe’s all-time top scorer with 85 international goals as Portugal sealed an important win.

After scoring a hat-trick in Portugal’s remarkable 3-3 draw against Spain in the second Group B match last Friday, Ronaldo matched Ferenc Puskas’s record as Europe’s all-time leading international marksman. Puskas scored 84 international goals for Hungary between 1945-1956.

But it took Ronaldo less than five minutes of the Mrocco match to finally surpass his tally. He powered home a header as his side raced into an early lead, confirming his place in the record books.

Ronaldo’s tally is only surpassed by Iran’s Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals in 149 appearances.

Ronaldo’s goal against Morocco took him back to the top of the World Cup 2018 goal scoring charts, with four goals from his opening two matches.

His record-breaking goal lifts him back above Russia’s Denis Cheryshev, who scored twice in the opening match against Saudi Arabia before getting on the score sheet against Egypt in last night’s match.

Meanwhile the finish sees Ronaldo become the first player since Jose Torres in 1966 to score a goal with his right foot, left foot and head in a single World Cup campaign.

Ronaldo’s 85 goal-haul includes five hat-tricks and one match in which he hit four goals. He has scored 14 braces with the remaining 38 goals coming in separate matches.

Thirty-nine of Ronaldo’s goals have come at home, 30 away and 16 at major international tournaments.

Ronaldo’s effort against Morocco also means that he has scored more goals at this year’s World Cup than in his previous three tournaments combined.

 

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