World Cup Qualifiers: Ronaldo and Spain Shine
International qualifiers are heating up. Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40, scored a long-range stunner as Portugal thrashed Armenia 5-0, breaking past Lionel Messi in all-time qualifiers scoring—on the same night Messi erupted emotionally in other headlines . Simultaneously, Spain delivered a ruthless performance, hammering Turkey 6-0, with Mikel Merino netting a sensational hat-trick, underscoring Spain’s dominance in current qualification campaigns .
September 7, 2025, was a night to remember in World Cup qualifying—for two very different reasons. First, there was Cristiano Ronaldo. At 40 years old, he not only delivered a breathtaking long-range strike in Portugal’s 5-0 demolition of Armenia—he also surpassed Lionel Messi in all-time World Cup qualifying goals, adding another layer to his enduring legacy.
On that same pitch, Ronaldo’s renewed contract with Al Nassr was a mere footnote compared to the numbers he was sprouting up in the record books. Beating Messi in such a historic category at this stage of his career is a feat few imagined possible. As Portugal fans celebrated, the broader football world paused to acknowledge one of the greatest careers continues to produce world-class moments.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe, Spain were in no mood to take it easy. They dismantled Turkey in an emphatic 6-0 win. The stand-out was Mikel Merino, who crushed it with a commanding hat-trick—a statement not just of personal form but of Spain’s depth and attacking excellence heading into 2026.
The message from both nations was clear: qualifications aren’t a formality—they’re stages for stars, old and new, to reignite their dominance. Ronaldo’s late-career flourish reminds us that age in football can be just a number. Merino’s rise and Spain’s firepower highlight a squad hungry, balanced, and lethal.
As the race to North America, Mexico, and Canada heats up, fans should expect more personal milestones and national blowouts. Ronaldo vs. Messi debates will reignite, but Merino’s explosive form signals a new generation stepping forward. One thing is certain: World Cup qualifying is shaping up to be every bit as dramatic as the tournament itself.
