Lisbon, Portugal – Portugal’s bid for an early qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup was put on hold after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Hungary in their European qualifying match at the Estádio José Alvalade on Tuesday. The result, secured by a stoppage-time equalizer from the visitors, means the Seleção must wait until the next round of fixtures to mathematically secure their place in the finals.
Ronaldo’s Brace Not Enough
Portugal’s goals came courtesy of their veteran captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice in the first half (in the 22nd and 45+3 minutes). His brace helped overturn an early shock, as Hungary took the lead in the 8th minute through Attila Szalai. Ronaldo’s goals saw him further cement his legacy, making him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying history.
However, the late drama unfolded when Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai found the net in the 91st minute, leveling the score for Hungary and silencing the home crowd.
Qualification Postponed
A victory would have sealed Portugal’s ticket to the 2026 tournament. The draw, though disappointing for the home side, keeps Portugal firmly on top of Group F with 10 points. Hungary remain in a strong second place with 5 points, putting pressure on the group leaders to finish the job in their remaining matches. The final round of fixtures will now determine who takes the automatic qualification spot.
