Nine Players Have More World Cup Knockout Goals Than Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo's knockout-stage pedigree at the World Cup makes for rather grim reading. The Portuguese forward has played seven times beyond the group stage across his tournament appearances since 2006 without finding the net once—a record that's been thoroughly eclipsed by an eclectic cast of characters.

Kylian Mbappe tops the knockout charts with eight goals, level with Brazil's Leonidas (the 1938 Golden Boot winner) and, rather confusingly, also Ronaldo—though the latter is an entirely different fellow. Lionel Messi sits on five knockout goals from 12 games, while 19 players in total have managed five or more in this high-stakes arena.

But the truly humbling part for Ronaldo? Nine different players have accumulated more knockout goals than his zero, and some of their credentials are decidedly less illustrious.

Matthew Upson

The ex-England centre-back managed both his international goals against Germany, with the second arriving at the 2010 World Cup against Manuel Neuer. It proved to be England's joint-best return in South Africa—though that achievement rather loses its shine when you consider the 4-1 hammering the Germans administered, and the defensive shambles surrounding Upson's header that offered the merest glimmer of hope.

Sulley Muntari

Portsmouth's former midfielder struck his knockout goal in 2010 against Uruguay from a distance that would have given Ronaldo pause before he inevitably decided to have a go anyway. The moment has largely vanished from memory thanks to the Luis Suarez handball controversy that followed. Muntari was fortunate to even be in the knockout phase after nearly getting sent home for his post-match rant about his coach and teammates following a 1-1 draw with Australia.

Benjamin Pavard

The France defender's strike in that thrilling 4-3 victory over Messi's Argentina in 2018 ranks among the most aesthetically pleasing goals ever scored when the stakes are highest—and certainly one of the most satisfying for neutral observers.

Zanka

Huddersfield Town's sole World Cup goalscorer went better than Ronaldo in 2018, netting inside the opening minute of Denmark's round-of-16 tie with Croatia. The Danes' evening deteriorated from there, with Croatia levelling swiftly before advancing via penalties in the quarter-finals.

Marouane Fellaini

Like Ronaldo, Fellaini's 2018 campaign ended at the last-16 stage, but the Manchester United cult hero kept Belgium alive with a powerful header against Japan. It was Belgium's equaliser at 2-2 after trailing 2-0, with Jan Vertonghen and Nacer Chadli also among those who've outscored Ronaldo in knockout matches.

Harry Maguire

There were whispers of tension between Ronaldo and Maguire during their Old Trafford partnership, with the Portugal star allegedly envious of Maguire's knockout-stage goal in 2018. By then, Ronaldo had already departed the tournament, while Maguire's towering header put England ahead in the quarter-final against Sweden.

Kieran Trippier

Both Ronaldo and the ex-England full-back scored free-kicks at World Cups, but with a crucial distinction. Ronaldo's came in the group stage in Russia in 2018, whereas Trippier's arrived in a semi-final against Croatia. The subsequent events remain too painful to revisit.

Jordan Henderson

The England midfielder and Ronaldo both scored once at the 2022 World Cup, but context matters. Ronaldo's penalty came in the opening group game, while Henderson's opened England's last-16 victory against Senegal—and he'd likely host a superior quiz night to boot.

Wout Weghorst

Manchester United's 2023 recruitment of Weghorst as Ronaldo's replacement invited considerable ridicule, yet the Dutch striker boasts two knockout-stage goals to Ronaldo's none. Ronaldo presumably watched with mixed feelings as Weghorst struck twice in the 2022 Battle of Lusail, including a stunning 101st-minute leveller, before the towering forward rattled Messi all the way to the final whistle.