41-Year-Old Ronaldo Just Became the Oldest Knockout Goal Scorer in World Cup History

Cristiano Ronaldo did it again. The man just keeps rewriting the record books even as he pushes past 40. During Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo found the back of the net and made history as the oldest player ever to score in a World Cup knockout match. He was 41 years, 4 months and 28 days old when he did it.

The record he broke belonged to his old Portugal teammate Pepe, who had held it since 2022. Pepe scored against Switzerland in the round of 16 at 39 years old. Ronaldo pushed that mark nearly two years further. It’s become a running theme for him this tournament. Earlier he set the record for scoring in the most World Cups overall. Now he’s got this one too.

The new top 10 list has some familiar names

Ivan Perisic also cracked the list during the same match. His goal for Croatia came about 15 minutes before Ronaldo’s, making him the fourth-oldest knockout scorer at 37 years and 5 months. Mexico’s Raul Jimenez also entered the top 10 from this year’s round of 32, though he’ll likely get bumped once Lionel Messi inevitably scores one in the knockout stage. (And let’s be real. He will.)

Olivier Giroud, who scored for France against England in the 2022 quarterfinals at 36, sits at No. 6. Miroslav Klose is at No. 7 for his semifinal goal against Brazil in 2014. That was when Germany dropped 7 on Brazil at home. Klose was 36 years and 29 days old.

The Swedes still own the oldest semifinal and final goals

Gunnar Gren scored in the 1958 semifinal for Sweden at age 37. Nils Liedholm scored in the final of that same tournament at 35. Both marks still stand. If Ronaldo or Messi reach the semifinal or final this year and score, either would set a new record for those specific stages.

The full list of the 10 oldest knockout goal scorers in World Cup history:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo — 41 years, 4 months, 28 days (Portugal 2-1 Croatia, 2026 round of 32)
2. Pepe — 39 years, 9 months, 10 days (Portugal 6-1 Switzerland, 2022 round of 16)
3. Gunnar Gren — 37 years, 7 months, 24 days (Sweden 3-1 Germany, 1958 semifinal)
4. Ivan Perisic — 37 years, 5 months, 1 day (Portugal 2-1 Croatia, 2026 round of 32)
5. Obdulio Varela — 36 years, 9 months, 6 days (Uruguay 4-2 England, 1954 quarterfinal)
6. Olivier Giroud — 36 years, 2 months, 10 days (England 1-2 France, 2022 quarterfinal)
7. Miroslav Klose — 36 years, 29 days (Brazil 1-7 Germany, 2014 semifinal)
8. Nils Liedholm — 35 years, 8 months, 21 days (Brazil 5-2 Sweden, 1958 final)
9. Giovanni van Bronckhorst — 35 years, 5 months, 1 day (Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands, 2010 semifinal)

Ronaldo’s goal came in the 103rd minute of extra time. Portugal won 2-1 to advance. And he just keeps going.