CR7 Makes History Across Six World Cups — Then Haaland Shows Up to Steal the Thunder
Ronaldo becomes a living record with two goals against Uzbekistan. But Haaland arrived quietly and has already left Pelé, Messi and CR7 behind in goal-scoring pace.
Cristiano Ronaldo was under fire. After a limp draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo, the criticism came hard. Then Uzbekistan arrived — and the Portuguese captain answered the only way he knows how: two goals, a 5–0 rout, and a record no one else holds.
CR7 is now the only player in history to score at six different World Cup editions. Ten goals in the tournament in total. Nike wasted no time: the brand announced the launch of a golden CR7-line boot, available from this Wednesday. Gold on the sole, on the studs, everywhere — only the swoosh and his signature in white break the colour.
"I never doubted him," said Felipe Melo on the programme Seleção Copa, according to ge. Brazil's 2010 World Cup midfielder went further: "To finish things off, he's still the best in the world." Renato Augusto, who played in 2018, added — "The Robot has arrived" — and placed Portugal among the title contenders after an impressive collective turnaround.
Yet while the world was celebrating Ronaldo, Erling Haaland went out and scored four goals in two games — two against Iraq, two against Senegal. According to ge, no other major name reached that tally so quickly: not Pelé (four games), not Messi (eleven), not Ronaldo (fourteen), not Neymar (three). Haaland did it in two. This is his first World Cup.
Golmetria's model gives Portugal a 4.88% chance of lifting the trophy — and the market points in the same direction, with an implied probability of around 9%. Norway and Haaland do not yet feature among the favourites, but the Manchester City striker is building his case one goal at a time.
Portugal face their next Group K fixture with renewed confidence. Norway play France on Friday in Boston — and Haaland could push even further a statistic that has already left Pelé, Messi and CR7 behind. The 2026 World Cup is only just getting started.