Portugal claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hungary in their second 2026 World Cup qualifier, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a record-equalling goal before Joao Cancelo hit an 86th-minute winner.
2026 World Cup qualification Europe
2-3
Match Report
Hungary broke the deadlock inside 21 minutes as a rapid counter-attack led by a marauding Dominik Szoboszlai was finished off with a neat header from Barnabas Varga.
But the hosts' lead was swiped away in the 36th minute, when Bernardo Silva – whose previous goal for Portugal came in September 2021 – sent the ball flying into the top corner from close range to restore parity.
Following the interval, Portugal re-established control, and it took just 13 minutes for Roberto Martinez's side to take the lead.
After Loic Nego was judged to have handled the ball inside the box, Ronaldo stepped up from the spot and coolly fired past Balazs Toth, becoming the joint-leading scorer in the history of World Cup qualifiers.
When the game looked to be fizzling out, Varga glanced an unstoppable header past Diogo Costa in the 84th minute to send the Puskas Arena into delirium.
Yet, just two minutes later, Cancelo curled a beautiful effort into Toth's bottom left-hand corner, ensuring Portugal continued their 100% start at the top of Group F.
The joint top goalscorer in #FIFAWorldCup qualifying history! @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/cHspPewCkp
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 9, 2025
Data Debrief: Ronaldo reaches another milestone
Forty-year-old Ronaldo grabbed the headlines again as he equalled the record for the most goals of all-time in World Cup qualifiers (around the world), registering his 39th in 49 games to draw level with Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz.
Registering an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.03, Ronaldo took five shots and hit the target with four.
In contrast, Hungary will be bitterly disappointed to let a point slip away, having made the most of their limited chances.
The hosts had just 0.34 expected goals (xG) and scored with both of their two shots on target, but they were unable to cling on at 2-2.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
8' Cancelo finds Bruno inside the box, whose shot is wide
14' Mendes has a shot from the edge of the box blocked
21' GOAL! Varga's header opens the scoring to give hosts lead! Hungary 1-0 Portugal
25' Bruno tries to give a cross for Ronaldo but the ball is blocked away
31' Ronaldo's shot from close range is saved by the keeper
36' GOAL! Silva's volley in the box helps visitors equalize! Hungary 1-1 Portugal
48' Highlight from Hungary vs Portugal
54' Kerkez's header is just wide
58' Penalty Goal! Ronaldo wins it and scores without problem! Hungary 1-2 Portugal
69' Match Event for Hungary vs Portugal
79' Neves and Neto are replaced by Felix and Palhinha
84' GOAL! Varga heads home to equalize! Hungary 2-2 Portugal
86' GOAL! Cancelo scores to put visitors back in front! Hungary 2-3 Portugal
Line-ups
Hungary XI: Loïc Nego, Orban, Zsolt Nagy, Attila Szalai, Balázs Tóth, Callum Styles, Barnabás Varga, Szoboszlai, Bendegúz Bolla, Milos Kerkez, Alex Tóth
Subs: Dénes Dibusz, Péter Szappanos, Attila Osváth, Dániel Lukács, Bence Ötvös, Barna Tóth, Márton Dárdai, Milán Vitális, Áron Csongvai, Gábor Szalai, Zsombor Gruber, Bence Dárdai
Portugal XI: Ronaldo, Cancelo, Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Costa, Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves
Subs: Rui Silva, Jose Sa, Palhinha, Francisco Trincão, Felix, Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Tavares, Gonçalo Ramos, Gonçalo Inácio, António Silva, Renato Veiga