Cristiano's World Cup Record Analysed as Portugal Exit Confirms Poor Stat

Cristiano's World Cup Record Analysed as Portugal Exit Confirms Poor Stat

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:19 PM
In this article:
Cristiano Ronaldo logo
C. Ronaldo
Al Nassr FC logoFPortugal logo
FIFA World Cup logo
FIFA World Cup
International
  • Cristiano Ronaldo will likely hang up his boots having never scored in a World Cup knockout
  • The 37-year-old had the chance to do so in Qatar, but Portugal were then shocked by Morocco
  • Ronaldo, now a free agent, said on Sunday via social media that his World Cup dream is over

Cristiano Ronaldo’s painful exit from the World Cup was further compounded by one unwanted stat - that he has never scored in a knockout match at the grandest stage of all.

The Portuguese superstar arrived in Qatar with loads of hope to perhaps go all the way with his country, for the most coveted trophy in world football.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, World Cup, Qatar
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final match against Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium. Photo by Zhizhao Wu.
Source: Getty Images

He started the campaign quite positively, scoring for his nation in the 65th minute against Ghana in their Group H opener. That was his 118th goal for his country and it made him the first player ever to score at five different World Cups, as Portugal beat the Black Stars 3-2 in a thriller.

However, despite all the optimism from the start, that solitary goal from the penalty spot would be the only one the former Manchester United man would score in the entire tournament, as the Selecao bowed out in the quarter-finals.

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

After Portugal saw off Uruguay to make it to the last 16, they set themselves up for a round of 16 clash against Switzerland - a game which they comfortably won 6-1.

Remarkably, Ronaldo was not on the score sheet in that game as he came off the bench when the scoreline was already defined.

Fast forward to the quarter-final clash against Morocco and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was once again started on the bench, as Fernando Santos’ side succumbed to a shock 1-0 defeat to the Atlas Lions.

Ronaldo was introduced early in the second half for that game, but was once again unable to inspire his side to a comeback.

Quite incredibly, the superstar’s exit from the World Cup confirmed an odd stat - that he has never managed a goal in the knockout stages of the competition in five attempts.

Breaking down Ronaldo's Mundial goals

As reported on by the Athletic and AS, all eight of Ronaldo’s World Cup goals have come in the group stage of the competition.

A quick breakdown of the goals will show that he scored against Iran in 2006, against North Korea in South Africa (2010), against Ghana in 2014, and famously scored a hat-trick against Spain at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In Qatar, he managed a goal against the Black Stars of Ghana, once again in the group stages.

It would have been nine World Cup goals in total for Ronaldo, but a contentious goal against Uruguay was eventually given to Bruno Fernandes.

Little girl consoles emotional Ronaldo

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on a cute incident where a little girl was photoshopped seemingly consoling Ronaldo after Portugal’s World Cup exit.

The picture of the girl seemingly offering to wipe the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner's tears has since gone viral and has attracted lots of attention online.

The veteran striker, who had revealed the tournament in Qatar would be his last for Portugal at the World Cup, failed in his quest to win football’s biggest tournament after five attempts.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
Tags
World