Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal were back in the news on day four of knockouts at FIFA World Cup 2026 after another round of high-octane action. It brought another landmark in the veteran captain’s storied career for Portugal, and Spain also gained a record win streak from a teenage sensation. As the knockout stage of the tournament entered its second round, a few players and teams also reached some notable statistical milestones.
Ronaldo was once again the matchwinner, this time as Portugal held off Croatia in a 2-1 thriller in the Round of 32. The 41-year-old scored from the penalty spot to net his third tournament goal and set another piece of World Cup history. The goal was also his second-best tally in one World Cup, having scored four goals in 2018.
That goal was even more relevant as Ronaldo had crossed another milestone to become the oldest player ever to score at a FIFA World Cup knockout-stage match. It stretched his remarkable global haul to add a record of the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup knock-out fixture.
Yet another record for Ronaldo as his appearance against Croatia made him the first footballer to play 25 World Cup games after turning aged over 35. His length of career at the top remains unrivalled among all other players in the history of the competition.
Ronaldo was in fabulous form and Portugal very much celebrated him, Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal continued to smash through the record books. Yamal was once again a crucial part of the win when Spain cruised 3-0 past Austria to book their Round of 16 spot.
The 18-year-old moved on to a perfect ten for major international tournaments under his belt without losing. No other European player of his age has begun as perfectly at a major tournament, underlining his meteoric rise in the game.
Yamal also surpassed Kylian Mbappe as the youngest European footballer to reach 10 wins in major international tournaments. It adds to his burgeoning reputation as one of the brightest young talents in football.
That was not the only score for Spain in Yamal. Together with his teammate Pau Cubarsi, the Barcelona academy graduate was included in the first pairing of teenage teammates to start a World Cup knockout match since Brazil legends Pelé and José Altafini back in 1958.
There were also plenty of other records set throughout the latest round of matches at the World Cup. Whether through individual milestones, team records and historic performances, one of the most memorable editions of FIFA World Cup is taking shape, with stars and emerging talents combining as a story in itself.
Portugal will be up against Spain in one of the tournament’s most exciting Round of 16 fixtures as the competition now progresses to that stage. This heavyweight knockout clash will pit Ronaldo against Yamal, one of the sport’s all-time greats and one of its most exciting prospects.
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