Cristiano Ronaldo has added another record to his long list of football achievements after becoming the oldest player to score in a FIFA World Cup knockout-stage match.
The milestone came during Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia, a result that sent Portugal through to the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, bringing Portugal level after Croatia had taken the lead through Ivan Perišić. FIFA also confirmed that the goal was Ronaldo’s first-ever goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
At 41 years and 147 days, Ronaldo also became the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup knockout match.
Portugal later completed the comeback thanks to a late goal from Gonçalo Ramos, who scored the winner in stoppage time. The match also had late drama, with Croatia having a potential equaliser ruled out by VAR.
The achievement is another remarkable moment in Ronaldo’s international career. Having already scored in multiple World Cup tournaments, this latest record shows his continued influence at the highest level, even at 41.
It is important to note that Ronaldo has become the oldest knockout-stage goalscorer, not the oldest World Cup goalscorer overall. That overall record still belongs to Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who scored at the age of 42 years and 39 days at the 1994 World Cup.
Portugal will now continue their World Cup journey in the last 16, with Ronaldo once again proving that age has not stopped him from making history.
