Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in Portugal’s 5-0 thrashing of Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday, September 6, 2025, in the first round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. With this feat, the Portuguese star reached 38 goals in the competition, surpassing Lionel Messi, who has 36, and is now just one goal shy of the all-time record held by Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz, with 39. At 40 years old, Ronaldo continues to impress, leading Portugal and closing in on another historic milestone in football. The match, played at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, marked Portugal’s debut in Group F, which also includes Hungary and Ireland, with their next challenge against Hungary on Tuesday, September 9.
The thrashing highlighted Portugal’s offensive strength, with Ronaldo and João Félix as protagonists. Besides Ronaldo’s two goals, Félix also scored twice, and João Cancelo completed the scoreline. The victory placed Portugal at the top of the group, where only the first-placed team secures a direct spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
- Key match moments
- Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 20th minute, tapping in a Pedro Neto cross.
- Félix scored with a header and a backheel, showcasing versatility.
- Cancelo sealed the rout with a precise shot in the second half.
Ronaldo’s chase for the record
Cristiano Ronaldo, with 38 goals in 48 Qualifiers matches, is one goal away from matching Carlos Ruiz’s record as the competition’s top scorer. The Portuguese star, playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, scored a tap-in and a stunning long-range goal against Armenia, reinforcing his longevity and technical quality. His 0.79 goals-per-game average surpasses Ruiz’s (0.83) and Messi’s (0.50), highlighting his efficiency in the competition.
The next match against Hungary could be the moment Ronaldo ties the record. Already the all-time top scorer for national teams with 140 goals, he has 942 career goals, nearing the 1,000-goal mark. At his current pace, he could reach this milestone before the end of 2026.
- Ronaldo’s Qualifiers stats
- 38 goals in 48 matches, averaging 0.79 goals per game.
- Surpassed Messi, who has 36 goals in 72 matches.
- One goal shy of Carlos Ruiz’s record (39 goals in 47 matches).
- Aims to be the first player to compete in six World Cups.
Carlos Ruiz: the record holder to beat
Carlos Ruiz, known as “El Pescadito,” holds the Qualifiers’ goal-scoring record with 39 goals in 47 matches for Guatemala. Despite never playing in a World Cup, Ruiz made history in Concacaf, regarded as Guatemala’s greatest-ever player. He shone at clubs like LA Galaxy and was the 2005 Gold Cup top scorer. His record, set in 2016, is now under threat from Ronaldo, who could match or surpass it in the next round.
Ruiz’s career was marked by consistency. He faced weaker Concacaf sides like Antigua and Barbuda but also scored against stronger teams like Mexico and Costa Rica. Ronaldo, competing in Europe’s tougher landscape, makes his near-record feat even more remarkable.
The rivalry with Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, who also scored twice in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela on September 4, reached 36 goals in the Qualifiers but was overtaken by Ronaldo. The Argentine, with 72 matches, has a 0.50 goals-per-game average, lower than Ronaldo’s. The rivalry between the two stars, who dominated world football for over 15 years, continues to captivate, with Messi having a chance to close the gap in the next round against Ecuador.
Ronaldo and Messi, aged 40 and 38 respectively, keep defying time. While Ronaldo chases Ruiz’s record, Messi aims to solidify his place as the player with the most Qualifiers matches in Conmebol, tying Iván Hurtado at 72 games.
- Ronaldo vs. Messi: direct comparison
- Ronaldo: 38 goals in 48 matches, 0.79 goals per game.
- Messi: 36 goals in 72 matches, 0.50 goals per game.
- Ronaldo leads the overall Qualifiers scoring chart.
- Messi could break the Conmebol match record against Ecuador.
Portugal’s campaign in Group F
Portugal kicked off the Qualifiers strongly, leading Group F after thrashing Armenia. Coach Roberto Martínez opted for an attacking lineup, with Ronaldo as the focal point and youngsters like João Félix and Pedro Neto stepping up. Portugal controlled 62% of possession and had 18 shots compared to Armenia’s four, showcasing technical dominance.
The next challenge is Hungary at the Puskás Arena, a tougher opponent. Hungary, who beat Ireland 2-0 in the first round, feature players like Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool and could pose a challenge. A win would solidify Portugal’s status as favorites for direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
Details of the Armenia thrashing
The match against Armenia was an offensive showcase for Portugal. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 20th minute, finishing a low cross from Pedro Neto. In the second half, he scored a stunning long-range goal after controlling the ball with his left foot and striking with his right. João Félix, with two goals, was another standout, while Cancelo sealed the scoreline with a placed shot.
The game also had an emotional moment with a minute’s silence for former Portuguese player Diogo Jota, who passed away in 2025. Despite the loss, the Armenian crowd applauded Ronaldo, who responded with gestures of gratitude.
- Decisive match plays
- Ronaldo’s goal at 20 minutes, assisted by Pedro Neto.
- Stunning long-range goal by Ronaldo in the second half.
- João Félix’s two goals: one header, one backheel.
- Cancelo’s final goal, assisted by Bruno Fernandes.
Ronaldo’s quest for a sixth World Cup
At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo remains Portugal’s heartbeat. His physical preparation, discipline, and competitive mindset keep him at an elite level despite younger competition. Having played in five World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022), he aims to be the first to reach six.
The 2026 World Cup, with 48 teams, will be the largest ever, and Portugal is a European favorite. Ronaldo, who won the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, wants to cap his career with another historic achievement. His performance against Armenia showed he can still decide crucial matches.
Expectations for the Hungary clash
Portugal’s next game against Hungary will be pivotal for maintaining Group F’s lead. Hungary, coached by Marco Rossi, has improved in recent years and boasts a passionate home crowd at the Puskás Arena. Ronaldo, chasing Ruiz’s record, will be the focal point, but Martínez must balance his star’s brilliance with the team’s collective play to secure three points.
- Key factors against Hungary
- Ronaldo’s pursuit of the tying goal for Ruiz’s record.
- Performances from Pedro Neto and João Félix in attack.
- Defensive solidity from Rúben Dias and António Silva.
- Portugal’s ability to neutralize Szoboszlai in midfield.