10th September 2025
September 10 – Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 39th goal in FIFA World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night, making him the joint-highest ever international goal scorer alongside Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz – and three ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo, 40, extended his international record to 141 goals in 223 appearances for Portugal, the most by any male player for the country.
His contribution came via a 59th-minute penalty, which helped to push Portugal to a hard-fought 2-3 victory over Hungary in Budapest.
Portugal, as one of the world’s best teams, are now firmly in the driver’s seat for their qualifying campaign and already have one foot in next summer’s World Cup.
Erling Haaland’s Norway, having never reached a major tournament with the Manchester City striker leading the line, obliterated Moldova 11-1 in Oslo to make it five straight wins in qualifying.
With five goals and two assists on the night, Haaland looks set on leaving a mark in North America next summer after missing out on the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and the 2024 Euro in Germany.
Thomas Tuchel’s England travelled to face Serbia, who hadn’t conceded a goal in qualifying until the Three Lions entered Belgrade. It looks as though Tuchel’s tactics have finally clicked, as England walked away with three points and five goals in a display which finally showed some long-awaited attacking flair – even without superstar names Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer.
The German fared questions about his methods after the dull World Cup qualifier win against Andorra on Saturday – a fourth successive competitive victory, but one that ended with thousands of supporters at Villa Park voting with their feet long before the end.
“I see what I see. I feel what I feel. I am convinced we will improve, then get better and better,” said Tuchel before England’s qualifier against Serbia. And improve they did.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [moc.l1757503265labto1757503265ofdlr1757503265owedi1757503265sni@g1757503265niwe.1757503265yrrah1757503265](javascript:;)