There’s a new men’s international soccer scoring leader and his name is Cristiano Ronaldo. During Wednesday’s game against Ireland in World Cup qualifying, Ronaldo scored twice in the final minutes to give Portugal a 2-1 win and break the mark held by Iran’s Ali Daei.
[It’s winning season: Create or join a Yahoo Fantasy Football league today]
Ronaldo’s record-setting goal came in the 89th minute. With Portugal facing a 1-0 deficit, Ronaldo found space in front of the net and scored on a header.
It was Ronaldo’s 110th international goal in 180 games. The 36-year-old made his international debut in 2003 and joins Spanish defender Sergio Ramos as the European man with the most appearances for his national side.
Minutes later, he added to that record. In the final minute of added time, Ronaldo scored another goal on a header to give Portugal the win.
Whose record did Ronaldo break?
With his first goal Wednesday, Ronaldo passed Daei, who scored 109 goals in 148 international games for Iran from 1993-2006. A tall forward known for his heading ability, Daei played most of his career in Asia, with a short and unsuccessful stint in the Bundesliga. He played in two World Cup games and failed to score.
Ronaldo has a long way to go if he wants to set the all-time international goals record regardless of gender. Canada’s Christine Sinclair holds that record with 187. Six other women have also scored more international goals that Ronaldo, including Americans Abby Wambach, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Carli Lloyd.
