Portugal Knocks Hungary Down 3-2: Ronaldo Scores, Cancelo Seals Victory!

Portugal secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Hungary in their 2026 World Cup qualifying match. The game, filled with dramatic twists and turns, saw Cristiano Ronaldo adding another milestone to his illustrious career.

Ronaldo Reaches Goalscoring Milestone

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his remarkable form, netting his 39th goal in World Cup qualifying matches. This achievement puts him level with Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz as the joint-highest scorer in World Cup qualifiers, surpassing even Lionel Messi. At 40 years old, Ronaldo also extended his international record to an astonishing 141 goals in 223 appearances for Portugal, solidifying his position as the country's all-time leading scorer.

Match Highlights: A Rollercoaster Ride

Hungary initially took the lead in the 21st minute with a header from Barnabas Varga. However, Bernardo Silva equalized for Portugal before halftime. Ronaldo then converted a penalty in the 58th minute, giving Portugal the lead. Varga scored again late in the game to level the score, but Joao Cancelo sealed the victory for Portugal with a stunning strike just two minutes later.

Key Moments and Player Performances

• Barnabas Varga's Brace: The Hungarian forward scored two impressive headers, causing problems for the Portuguese defense.
• Cristiano Ronaldo's Penalty: Ronaldo calmly converted a penalty, showcasing his composure under pressure.
• Joao Cancelo's Winner: Cancelo's late goal secured a crucial victory for Portugal.

Portugal now sits at the top of Group F with six points after two matches, following their earlier 5-0 win over Armenia. Hungary, on the other hand, finds themselves in third place with one point.

The match highlighted Portugal's attacking prowess and resilience, while also exposing some defensive vulnerabilities. Roberto Martinez will be looking to address these issues as Portugal continues their journey towards the 2026 World Cup.