Cristiano Ronaldo sets new all-time World Cup qualifying goals record originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Cristiano Ronaldo now stands alone.

No player in the history of world football has ever scored more goals in World Cup qualifying than the Portuguese all-time great.

He grabbed that record on Tuesday against Hungary.

Ronaldo scored twice in the first half, the first coming off a feed from Nelson Semedo and the second thanks to a great cross from Nuno Mendes.

The legend has now scored 41 goals in World Cup qualifying.

He entered the night tied with Carlos Ruiz, the former Guatemala great, with 39 qualifying goals.

But that first goal of the evening pushed Ronaldo past Ruiz, and he added a second for good measure.

For reference: Lionel Messi had 36 career goals in World Cup Qualifiers.

Ronaldo has now scored 142 goals for his country, which is also a record.

Portugal didn’t finish the job on this night, though. Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai notched a late equalizer in stoppage time for a 2-2 draw.

Ronaldo, now 40 years old, has won five Ballon d’Or awards and is regarded as one of the two best players of this era along with Messi. Together, they’ve redefined the sport and put themselves in the conversation among the greats of any generation.

Every time Ronaldo has a moment like this, he allows fans to marvel at the way he and his legendary rival have continued to defy time.

Ronaldo surely will be at the World Cup if Portugal qualify. They’ll need to take care of business in November’s international window to ensure their spot next summer.

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