Cristiano Ronaldo ended his long-standing goalless streak in the World Cup knockout stages, scoring a crucial penalty that helped Portugal secure a 2-1 victory over Croatia in the round of 16. The goal, scored on 2/7 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, also made him the oldest player to both play and score in a World Cup knockout match, at 41 years and 147 days.

Earlier in the 61st minute, Ronaldo had seemingly found the net after receiving a long pass and chipping the ball over goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. However, the linesman raised his flag, and VAR confirmed the 41-year-old forward was offside. With 23 offside calls in his World Cup career, Ronaldo ranks second in tournament history, behind former Netherlands forward Robin van Persie, who has 25.

Cristiano Ronaldo chipped the ball into the net but it was disallowed, during Portugal's 2-1 victory over Croatia in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at BMO Field, Toronto, Canada on 2/7. Photo: Reuters

Portugal earned a penalty in the 66th minute after Renato Veiga was fouled by Nikola Vlasic in the box. From the spot, Ronaldo struck the ball down the middle as Livakovic dove left. The 41-year-old forward celebrated the 1-1 equalizer with his teammates. This penalty was his only touch in the opponent's box during his 81 minutes on the field before he was replaced by Goncalo Ramos.

Prior to the Croatia match, Ronaldo had taken 29 shots across eight World Cup knockout games without scoring. This equaled the record for most shots without a goal in this stage since 1966, a mark he shared with former Brazil defender Roberto Carlos.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores a penalty goal. Photo: Reuters

The penalty brought Ronaldo's total World Cup goals to 11, placing him in a tie for ninth on the all-time scoring list with Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany) and Sandor Kocsis (Hungary). The Portuguese forward reached this milestone in 26 matches, just three fewer than Lionel Messi's record of 29 World Cup appearances.

Ronaldo now boasts 25 goals across two major men's football tournaments, the Euro and World Cup, a historic first. His tally includes: two goals at Euro 2004, one at World Cup 2006, one at Euro 2008, one at World Cup 2010, three at Euro 2012, one at World Cup 2014, three at Euro 2016, four at World Cup 2018, five at Euro 2020, one at World Cup 2022, and three at World Cup 2026.

On the pitch in Toronto on 2/7, Ivan Perisic initially gave Croatia the lead before Ronaldo scored Portugal's equalizer. In the 4th minute of injury time, Goncalo Ramos secured the 2-1 victory with a header. At 93 minutes and 9 seconds, this marked Portugal's latest winning goal in a World Cup match.

Following their victory over Croatia, Ronaldo and his teammates will face Spain in the quarterfinals at 2h on 7/7, Hanoi time.

Hong Duy compiled