Cristiano Ronaldo started his bid to appear in a record sixth World Cup in stunning fashion, scoring twice as Portugal cruised to a 5-0 win over Armenia in their opening qualifier on Saturday.

Ronaldo, now 40, extended his men’s international scoring record to 140 goals, showing he is still motivated to add to his legacy. Despite winning almost every major honor in his career, including the European Championship, the World Cup remains missing from his collection — a title his long-time rival Lionel Messi claimed with Argentina in 2022.

The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is expected to be Ronaldo’s final chance. If he makes it, both he and Messi will stand alone as the only players to feature in six editions of the tournament.

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Against Armenia at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Ronaldo struck once in each half. His second goal came with a thunderous shot from about 25 meters, reminding fans of his trademark finishing. He celebrated with arms wide open as teammates rushed to congratulate him.

Joao Felix also scored twice, netting the opener inside 10 minutes, while Joao Cancelo added another to complete the rout. Midfielder Vitinha described it as a “near-perfect performance.”

Portugal’s victory also carried emotion as it was the first match since the death of former player Diogo Jota and his brother in a car accident in July. Ronaldo pointed to the sky after scoring, and Cancelo honored Jota with his signature celebration.

Source: Agency