Portuguese striker breaks Ronaldo's record with World Cup goal against Vietnam

By Vinh San   July 28, 2023 | 10:32 pm PT
Portuguese striker breaks Ronaldo's record with World Cup goal against Vietnam
Kika Nazareth celebrates after scoring against Vietnam in FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand on July 27, 2023. Photo by Portuguese Football Federation
Kika Nazareth's goal in Portugal 2-0 win against Vietnam helped her surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's record as the youngest player to score for the country at a World Cup.

At 20 years and 8 months old, Nazareth played against Vietnam on Thursday at FIFA Women's World Cup and scored the second goal for Portugal in the 21st minute. She became Portugal's youngest scorer at a World Cup tournament.

The previous record set by the legendary Ronaldo was in the 2006 World Cup for men. He was 21 years and 132 days old when he scored on the penalty spot to help Portugal win 2-0 against Iran in the group stage.

Since then, Ronaldo has scored in five consecutive World Cup tournaments. He is the first player to achieve this feat.

Nazareth is playing for Benfica. In 2020, at the age of 17, she played the first game for the national team and scored her first goal in 2022.

In the match against Vietnam in the second round of group E, Telma Encarnacao opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Nazareth's goal increased the advantage for Portugal as they protected the lead until the end. This was a historic victory for Portugal in their first Women's World Cup. They lost 0-1 to the Netherlands in the opening match.

Portugal will play the U.S. in the last group stage game next Tuesday, when Vietnam will play 2019 runners-up, the Netherlands.

 
 
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