Ronaldo ties Gerd Mueller for overall World Cup goals lead

Brazil's Ronaldo scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals Thursday night, tying the tournament career record held by Gerd Mueller of Germany.

He also surpassed the Brazil mark held by Pele.

The striker scored with a header in first-half injury time in the defending champion's match against Japan in Group F. He added a second in the 81st with a right-foot shot from 20 yards.

Ronaldo has 66 goals in 102 matches with Brazil. Pele scored 95 in 114 matches.

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 being stopped by Kawaguchi.

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

The striker 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 tournament overweight after enduring a series of injuries with Real Madrid during the season.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has supported Ronaldo from the beginning, saying he remains a key for Brazil and will be a threat after gaining back his rhythm.

Ronaldo was with Brazil when it won the title in 1994 in the United States and 2002 in South Korea and Japan. He could equal Pele's feat as a three-time World Cup winner with another title this year. Pele won it in 1958, '62 and '70.

In the 2002 tournament, he won the scoring title with eight goals in seven matches. He scored twice in the final against Germany.