All of Cristiano Ronaldo’s FIFA World Cup goals
Having long since established himself as one of the top goalscorers and most notable players in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo has always left his mark when it comes to the FIFA World Cup, scoring at least once in all five previous editions of the tournament since his debut in 2006. In this article, we look back at every goal scored by Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal up-to-and-including FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.
As it stands, Ronaldo has scored eight FIFA World Cup goals spanning six tournaments, including a hat-trick against Spain at FIFA World Cup 2018. Here is our breakdown of all those goals he has scored for Portugal.
Last updated after his goal against Ghana in the group stage of FIFA World Cup 2022
Goal 1 – June 17, 2006 vs IR Iran (FIFA World Cup 2006, Group Stage)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first ever FIFA World Cup goal came as a 21-year-old against IR Iran. Portugal raced through the group stage at FIFA World Cup 2026 and their second game saw ‘CR7’ get on the scoresheet via a coolly converted penalty with ten minutes to go. Smashing the ball into the top left-hand corner and sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, his goal ensured a 2-0 win for Portugal.
Goal 2 – June 21, 2010 vs North Korea (FIFA World Cup 2010, Group Stage)
Ronaldo would have to wait over four years for his next goal, which came again in the group stage but this time at FIFA World Cup 2010. Portugal had been held to a goalless draw by Cote d’Ivoire in their opening game and took their frustrations out on North Korea. Leading by five goals to nil with three minutes to go, substitute Liedson set Ronaldo through on goal. The Portuguese captain knocked the ball past the onrushing keeper, who got some contact on it but was powerless to stop Ronaldo tapping into an empty net to make it 6-0. Portugal went on to add one more goal before full time.
Goal 3 – June 26, 2014 vs Ghana (FIFA World Cup 2014, Group Stage)
One of two FIFA World Cup goals scored by Ronaldo against Ghana and his third consecutive goal to be scored in the 80th minute onwards. Portugal had accumulated just one point against Germany and USA across the group stage of FIFA World Cup 2010 and were being held to a draw by the Black Stars.
Ronaldo’s Long-time Man Utd teammate Nani’s cross was not cleared adequately by the Ghana defence and after goalkeeper Fatau Dauda punched the ball straight into CR7’s path right in the heart of the penalty area, he made no mistake with a thumping first-time left-foot finish. However, the goal wasn’t enough to prevent a group stage exit for Portugal in Brazil.
Goal 4 – June 15, 2018 vs Spain (FIFA World Cup 2018, Group Stage)
The most memorable encounter in the history of this tournament involving Ronaldo took place in the group stage of FIFA World Cup 2018. A heavyweight clash between European giants Portugal and Spain, it was inevitable that CR7 would have the biggest say. It took just four minutes for him to open the scoring against his country’s biggest rivals, a penalty in which he sent David de Gea the wrong way. But that was just the start of the action.
Goal 5 – June 15, 2018 vs Spain (FIFA World Cup 2018, Group Stage)
After Spain had drawn level in the first half Diego Costa, Ronaldo restored Portugal’s lead before half-time with his first ever FIFA World Cup goal from outside the box. Goncalo Guedes fed the 33-year-old, whose powerful left-footed shot from inside the penalty arc squirmed into the net through the hands of De Gea, who should’ve done better. It was the first time Ronaldo had scored twice in FIFA World Cup game but there was still more to come.
Goal 6 – June 15, 2018 vs Spain (FIFA World Cup 2018, Group Stage)
Ronaldo completed a maiden FIFA World Cup hat-trick with just two minutes to play in normal time after Spain had turned the game on its head and gone 2-3 in front. It came in the form of a trademark Ronaldo free-kick, the curl and dip generated leaving De Gea flat-footed as the ball nestled into the top corner. It was a beautiful goal and rescued a point for Portugal in a thrilling group stage encounter at FIFA World Cup 2018.
Goal 7 – June 20, 2018 vs Morocco (FIFA World Cup 2018, Group Stage)
Less than a week after the draw vs Spain, Portugal were back in action against Morocco and for the second match running, Ronaldo would find the net in the fourth minute. It was another first for CR7, this time his first headed goal at the FIFA World Cup. Joao Moutinho’s cross following a short corner saw Ronaldo left unmarked in the middle of the box. Big mistake, as his header whistled into the net in what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
Goal 8 – November 24, 2022 vs Ghana (FIFA World Cup 2022, Group Stage)
FIFA World Cup 2022 saw Ronaldo on the scoresheet for a fifth consecutive tournament and an eighth time overall across the competition’s history. It came in the form of his third successful penalty and his second goal against Ghana, over eight years after Ronaldo first found the net vs the Black Stars.
Unlike Ronaldo’s previous two FIFA World Cup penalties, the goalkeeper dove the right way this time. But it was still too good a spot kick, the height on the shot beating Lawrence Ati-Zigi to give Portugal a 1-0 lead in the 65th minute. That would only be the start of the action though, as the game eventually finished 3-2 in the favour of Ronaldo’s side.
