Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup goal record: Did CR7 dive to win Portugal crucial penalty against Ghana?

David Lynch

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Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup goal record: Did CR7 dive to win Portugal crucial penalty against Ghana? image

Cristiano Ronaldo has written his name into the history books again by scoring at a record-breaking fifth World Cup for Portugal.

The 37-year-old netted from the penalty spot to help his country kick off their group-stage campaign with a 3-2 victory over Ghana.

That made him the first man in history to get on the scoresheet at five different stagings of the tournament.

However, the decision to award a spot-kick to Portugal was not popular in all quarters.

Watch the goal in the US

Watch the goal in the UK

Watch the goal in Australia

MORE: All time international goalscorers: Where does Ronaldo rank on the list?

Did Cristiano Ronaldo dive against Ghana?

Portugal's penalty was earned in the 62nd minute, after a coming-together in the box between Ronaldo and Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu.

The Ghana players immediately protested against the decision, which admittedly looked to be potentially soft in real time.

However, slow-motion replays appeared to show that Ronaldo got to the ball fractionally before Salisu, justifying the awarding of a spot-kick.

More: Ronaldo versus Messi at the World Cup — who is the GOAT?

Why didn't VAR look at the penalty?

After American referee Ismail Elfath pointed to the spot, the VAR would need to spot a clear and obvious error in order to intervene and suggest a possible change of decision.

That no such error was apparent due to the fact that Ronaldo did indeed reach the ball first meant that the official was encouraged to stick with his on-pitch call.

However, it is up for debate whether VAR might have intervened had Elfath decided against awarding a penalty in the first place.

More: Complete list of players to score most goals at World Cups

Ronaldo penalty makes history

Ronaldo is now only player to have scored at five separate World Cup finals, moving beyond the four other players who had also netted at four.

Player WC apps WC goals WCs scored at
Ronaldo 18 8 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Pele 14 12 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970
Uwe Seeler 21 9 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970
Miroslav Klose 24 16 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014,
Lionel Messi 20 7 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022

Ronaldo dive or penalty?

Social media was awash with debate over the decision to award Ronaldo a penalty against Ghana — here are some of the highlights.

David Lynch

David Lynch is a freelance football journalist primarily covering Liverpool FC. He has reported on the the Reds for over a decade for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Evening Standard, carving out a reputation as a trusted voice on all things Anfield in the process. Having followed Liverpool across England and Europe over the course of his career, David has filed from illustrious venues such as Camp Nou, the Allianz Arena and the Estadio do Dragao, as well as from multiple Champions League finals.