Portugal 2-2 Hungary: Szoboszlai's last-minute equalizer denies Ronaldo's brace

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and set a new goalscoring record but his Portugal side could only draw with Hungary to miss a chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Match Report

Marco Rossi's Hungary team manufactured a dream start, and were ahead after eight minutes when Szoboszlai’s pinpoint corner was nodded in at the back post by Attila Szalai. 

However, Ronaldo dragged Portugal level just 14 minutes later when he pounced onto Nelson Semedo's pass to equalise from close range.

The 40-year-old's insatiable appetite for goals continued as he volleyed in from Nuno Mendes' cross on the stroke of half-time.

Portugal threatened to extend their advantage and struck the woodwork in quick succession through long-range efforts from Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes. 

However, Szalai nearly netted again when he connected with Milos Kerkez’s teasing delivery, but the centre-back’s header clipped the crossbar. 

Nevertheless, Portugal were pegged back when Szoboszlai tapped in a last-gasp leveller in the 91st minute.

This draw ended the 2025 Nations League winners' run of six successive victories, but Portugal still sit top of Group F, even if their qualification has been put on ice for now.

Data Debrief: The irrepressible Ronaldo cannot stop scoring

Ronaldo now has 41 World Cup qualifying goals, taking him two clear in the all-time rankings, ahead of Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala).

The veteran forward’s two clinical finishes mean he has now netted five goals in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, leading the way for Portugal.

Over the course of his 78 minutes on the pitch, Ronaldo recorded seven shots, more than any other player, though he could only watch on as Szoboszlai salvaged a point, meaning Portugal will have to wait until next month to secure their place at next year's tournament.

Hungary remain second in Group F and are one point ahead of the Republic of Ireland, who beat Armenia 1-0 in Dublin.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

5' Ronaldo's left-foot effort is over the bar

8' GOAL! Szalai opens the scoring from Szoboszlai's corner! Portugal 0-1 Hungary

16' A very poor free-kick of Portugal as they give the ball to the visitors

23' GOAL! Ronaldo equalizes from Semedo's assist! Portugal 1-1 Hungary

32' Veiga has a handball in the box but the referee says no penalty

34' Yellow Card! Bruno Fernandes booked for fouling Schafer

41' Ronaldo's header from the corner is too high

48' GOAL! Ronaldo gets his second one from Mendes' cross! Portugal 2-1 Hungary

54' Neto tries to shoot from a tight angle but it's blocked by keeper

58' Ronaldo curls a shot by left foot which is high over the bar

64' CLOSE! Both Ruben and Bruno's shots hit the post!

65' Felix's header from Conceicao's cross is saved

74' CLOSE! Sallai almost equalizes with a header which strikes the bar

79' Goalscorer Ronaldo is replaced by Ramos and Mendes replaced by Tavares

90+1' GOAL! Szoboszlai scores at the last moment! Portugal 2-2 Hungary

Line-ups

Portugal XI: Ronaldo, Semedo, Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Costa, Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga

Subs: Rui Silva, Jose Sa, Palhinha, Dalot, Francisco Trincão, Felix, Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Tavares, Matheus Nunes, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Ramos, António Silva

Hungary XI: Loïc Nego, Orban, Roland Sallai, Attila Szalai, Balázs Tóth, Callum Styles, Barnabás Varga, András Schäfer, Szoboszlai, Bendegúz Bolla, Milos Kerkez

Subs: Péter Szappanos, Attila Osváth, Patrik Demjén, Dániel Lukács, Bence Ötvös, Attila Mocsi, Márton Dárdai, Milán Vitális, Rajmund Molnár, Áron Csongvai, Zsombor Gruber, Alex Tóth