Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player to score in eight consecutive major internationals tournaments as he won and converted a fourth-minute penalty in Portugal’s World Cup 3-3 draw against Spain.
18 – Cristiano Ronaldo was directly involved in more goals than any other player in the 2018 European World Cup qualifiers (18), scoring 15 goals and assisting a further three. Machine. #POR pic.twitter.com/xXvMyTpwjK
— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) June 15, 2018
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There was early drama in the glamour Group B match at Sochi’s Fisht Stadium when Ronaldo went down under a challenge from Real Madrid team-mate Nacho Fernandez, prompting referee Gianluca Rocchi to point to the spot.
8 – Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player in history to score in eight consecutive major tournaments (World Cup, European Championships, Copa America). Legend. #PORESP #POR #WorldCup
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018
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Ronaldo kept his cool to send David de Gea the wrong way with a spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.
4 – Cristiano Ronaldo is the fourth player to score in four separate World Cup tournaments (also Pelé, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler). Greats. #PORESP #POR #ESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/9xi1WDlGYh
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018
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As a result, the Portugal skipper extended an unprecedented streak of scoring at major tournaments. Since finding the net at Euro 2004, he has gone on to grab goals at three further European Championships and four successive World Cups.
4 – Cristiano Ronaldo at his four World Cup tournaments:
2006 – 1 goal (26 shots)
2010 – 1 goal (22 shots)
2014 – 1 goal (22 shots)
2018 – 2 goals (3 shots)Buses.#PORESP #POR #ESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/llTQTMBUcH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018
Ronaldo is the fourth player to score in four World Cups, following in the footsteps of Uwe Seeler, Pele and Miroslav Klose.
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45 – Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick was the first that he has scored from a direct free-kick in a finals tournament, from what was his 45th attempt (World Cup & Euros combined). Moment. #PORESP #POR #ESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/hKzeGfa0Yl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018
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33y 130d – Cristiano Ronaldo is the oldest ever player to score a World Cup hat-trick. History. #PORESP #POR #ESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/iV00RitrmU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018
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51 – Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his 51st career hat-trick (club and country), and his treble was also the 51st hat-trick scored in World Cup history. Symmetry. #PORESP #POR #ESP #WorldCup
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018