Following Canada's 1-0 victory over South Africa on Friday, The Athletic journalist Colin Millar highlighted a remarkable achievement by Stephen Eustáquio. By scoring in the 92nd minute, Eustáquio became the first player to wear the number 7 shirt and score a World Cup knockout goal for a country that has represented Portugal at any international level.
Eustáquio, born in Ontario to Portuguese parents, previously played for Portugal at the Under-21 level before switching allegiance to Canada in 2019. This statistic puts pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo, who, despite being the all-time leading international goalscorer, has yet to score in the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Journey
Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player to score at six different World Cups with his brace against Uzbekistan during the group stage of the 2026 tournament. His World Cup goal tally includes:
- 2006 (Germany): 1 goal (vs. Iran)
- 2010 (South Africa): 1 goal (vs. North Korea)
- 2014 (Brazil): 1 goal (vs. Ghana)
- 2018 (Russia): 4 goals (Hat-trick vs. Spain, 1 vs. Morocco)
- 2022 (Qatar): 1 goal (vs. Ghana)
- 2026 (USA/Mexico/Canada): 2 goals (vs. Uzbekistan)
As Ronaldo prepares for Portugal's upcoming Round of 32 knockout match against Croatia in Toronto, the pressure mounts. If he fails to score against Croatia, it may mean retiring without that elusive knockout goal.
Stephen Eustáquio's Historic Moment
With Eustáquio's late goal, Canada secured their first-ever knockout phase win, illustrating the significance of the moment. The midfielder's performance not only highlights his personal achievement but also places Ronaldo's record in stark contrast.
Ronaldo's current goal total stands at 10 FIFA World Cup goals, which is nine shy of the record held by Lionel Messi. As discussions around Ronaldo's legacy continue, this statistic adds another layer to the ongoing narrative.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by FourFourTwo. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
