Ronaldo ties Gerd Mueller to be all-time World Cup top scorer
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-23 08:49

DORTMUND, Germany - Ronaldo scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals Thursday, passing Pele as Brazil's all-time scoring leader in the competition and tying the record set by Gerd Mueller of Germany.

Brazil's Ronaldo walks on the pitch during their Group F World Cup 2006 soccer match against Japan in Dortmund June 22, 2006.
Brazil's Ronaldo walks on the pitch during their Group F World Cup 2006 soccer match against Japan in Dortmund June 22, 2006. [Reuters]
The striker scored with a header in first-half injury time in the defending champion's match against Japan in Group F. He then added a second in the 81st with a right-foot shot from 20 meters.

Another goal for the Real Madrid player would make him the tournament's all-time leading scorer.

"I'm very happy with my performance, with the two goals and with Brazil's victory," Ronaldo said. "Now it's time to rest and think about the round of 16."

Ronaldo had a great chance to put Brazil ahead in the seventh minute after beating a defender inside the area, but his close-range shot was saved by Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. His right-footer in the 20th was just as dangerous, again stopped by Kawaguchi.

Ronaldo, playing in his fourth World Cup, has scored 66 goals in 102 matches with Brazil. Pele scored 95 in 114 matches.

Ronaldo was coming off two disappointing performances with Brazil, being held goal-less and twice substituted.

"Ronaldo played really well, improved throughout the game," Brazil midfielder Kaka said. "We're all happy (for him)."

Ronaldo had to deal with a series of distractions since arriving for the World Cup a month ago, including a weight controversy and a string of minor health problems.

Ronaldo admittedly arrived for the World Cup overweight after enduring a series of injuries with Real Madrid earlier in the season.

Brazil's physical trainer Moraci Sant'Anna on Wednesday revealed the striker weighs 90.5 kilograms (199 1/2 pounds), 8.5 kilograms (almost 19 pounds) more than listed by FIFA. Sant'Anna said the striker lost nearly 5 kilograms (11 pounds) since arriving for Brazil's training camp.
Page: 12