Sofia Quijada
Cristiano Ronaldo has written yet another chapter in football history. In Portugal’s 3-2 victory over Hungary at the Puskás Arena, the 40-year-old converted a second-half penalty to reach 39 goals in World Cup qualifiers, equalling the all-time record held by Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz.
Portugal Edge Hungary in a Thriller
The match was anything but straightforward. Hungary struck first through Barnabás Varga, shocking Roberto Martínez’s men despite Portugal’s early dominance. Bernardo Silva levelled before half-time with a well-placed finish, but Hungary clawed back into contention late on. Ronaldo’s cool penalty restored Portugal’s advantage, and João Cancelo sealed the win with a decisive strike.
Final score: Hungary 2–3 Portugal. The result sees Portugal top Group F with six points from their opening fixtures.
Ronaldo’s Historic Feat
With his 39th World Cup qualifying goal, Ronaldo now shares the top spot with Carlos Ruiz. His nearest active rival? Long-time nemesis Lionel Messi, sitting three behind on 36. Other legends on the list include Ali Daei (35) and Robert Lewandowski (32).
Ronaldo’s numbers defy belief: 141 goals in 223 appearances for Portugal, and an extraordinary 944 career goals across club and country. His stated ambition? Reaching the mythical 1,000-goal milestone.
Betting Angle: Ronaldo Still Delivers
For punters, Ronaldo’s output at 40 is more than a feel-good story – it’s a betting factor. He has now scored in back-to-back qualifiers, showing he remains Portugal’s most reliable finisher. Expect bookmakers to continue pricing him short in anytime goalscorer markets when Portugal play, especially in winnable fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Hungary again next month.
Portugal’s perfect start also strengthens their odds of winning Group F outright. With Martínez boasting an impressive record of 23 wins in his last 32 games, the Seleção remain one of the safest bets in UEFA qualification.
What’s Next for Ronaldo and Portugal?
Portugal resume qualifiers next month with home matches against the Republic of Ireland and Hungary. All eyes will be on Ronaldo as he looks to move past Ruiz and stand alone as the undisputed king of World Cup qualifying goals.
For bettors, the question isn’t whether Ronaldo will score again – but how quickly he will break the record outright.