June 20 (UPI) — Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo regained control as the 2018 World Cup scoring leader Wednesday against Morocco.
Ronaldo put in a goal for Portugal in the fourth minute of its Group B bout at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Midfielder Joao Moutinho gained control of the ball after a touched corner kick on the right side.
He then sent a cross toward the back post. Ronaldo came flying in and headed the ball into the net past Moroccan keeper Munir Mohand Mohamedi.
The finish gives Ronaldo four goals so far at the World Cup, surpassing Russia’s Denis Cheryshev. The Russia forward scored his third goal of the tournament in a 3-1 win against Egypt Tuesday at Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Cheryshev scored twice — coming on as a substitution — in Russia’s 5-0 World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Thursday in Moscow.
Ronaldo scored three times in Portugal’s World Cup opening draw against Spain on Friday in Sochi. Cheryshev and Russia play in their final Group A match against Uruguay on Monday in Samara. Ronaldo and Portugal wrap up Group B against Iran on Monday in Saransk.
Portugal led Morocco 1-0 at halftime.