Cristiano Ronaldo’s best moments at the World Cup
With the noise on the outside created by Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan just days prior to the World Cup in Qatar taking up a large chunk of the media spotlight, as the latest developments confirm he and Manchester United will part ways with immediate effect, it’s easy to forget that the ongoing World Cup in the Middle East will likely be CR7’s last.
In many ways, this year’s tournament feels like the beginning of the end to one of the best eras in football history — with Ronaldo’s old rival Lionel Messi, who is contention to be top scorer in the World Cup 2022 golden boot odds, also confirming that this will be his last appearance at the sport’s showpiece event.
Neither have managed to hoist aloft the famous trophy. But they have both still created special moments at the tournament that will live long in the memory of their millions of followers.
So, as both look to bow out with grace, let’s take a look back at some of Ronaldo’s best moments at the World Cup.
2018: hattrick vs Spain
Where better to start than with his hat-trick against Spain four years ago? There was drama in the build-up to the opening game of Group B, as Julen Lopetegui was sacked the day before the World Cup got underway in Russia after agreeing to take on the Real Madrid post upon the tournament’s conclusion, but La Roja looked on course for a big victory over their Iberian rivals — only for some Ronaldo magic late on.
CR7 won and converted a penalty in the third minute, becoming the first ever player to score at eight consecutive major tournaments, but Diego Costa levelled with a fantastic solo effort in the 24th minute — fending off the Portuguese defenders with his brute strength before firing past Rui Patricio. Ronaldo fired his country back in front on the brink of half-time though, letting rip from the edge of the box and David de Gea fumbled the effort into the goal.
On the cusp of defeat following second-half goals from Costa and Nacho Fernandez, Portugal needed Ronaldo to step up again — and he delivered in spades. Lining up a free-kick from 25 yards out, the soon-to-be Juventus man lifted the ball over the helpless Spain wall and into the top right corner — leaving De Gea without a hope.
2006: First World Cup goal vs Iran
While Deco’s thunderbolt from the edge of the area was by far the better of the two goals in this 2-0 group stage victory over Iran, Ronaldo got off the mark from the penalty spot after the legendary Luis Figo was brought down inside the box.
Having picked up nothing more than a yellow card in his first World Cup appearance against Angola, Ronaldo would have been desperate to score his maiden goal against Iran — even if it had to come from the spot. He took his trademark deep breath and riffled his penalty into the top corner, sending the keeper the opposite way. It was the only goal he managed in six appearances at the 2006 edition.
2010: Goal and an assist as Portugal thrashed North Korea 7-0
1-0 up at half-time thanks to a Raul Meireles strike, the betting tips certainly wouldn’t have predicted Portugal to go on and win this game 7-0. However, Carlos Queiroz’s men really turned on the style in the second half — and, of course, Ronaldo had to get in on the act.
After Simao and Hugo Almeida extended Portugal’s lead to three, Ronaldo made a good run down the left before teeing up Tiago Mendes on the edge of the box. After Liedson’s fifth, Ronaldo made it six with a goal that still pops up on highlight reels today.
The forward tried to take it around North Korea’s keeper, but he got a leg to it and the ball deflected up in the air — taking a couple of bounces on Ronaldo’s arched back before it fell perfectly for him to volley home into the empty net. He could do nothing but smile as Lady Luck was clearly on his side.