In the European Zone Group F match, 40-year-old Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 39th goal in World Cup qualifiers, drawing level with retired Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz at the top of the all-time scoring chart.
Portugal Secure Back-to-Back Wins
Amid 90 minutes of relentless singing, drumming, and horns from Hungarian fans, Nations League champions Portugal clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over the hosts thanks to a decisive goal in the 86th minute, earning their second straight win in Group F.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo earned a penalty in the 58th minute. He approached with short, quick steps, paused briefly, then struck powerfully. The ball brushed past the Hungarian goalkeeper’s fingertips and flew into the left corner of the net.
After scoring, Ronaldo sprinted to the sidelines, leapt high into the air, spun 180 degrees before landing, and was immediately swarmed by teammates in celebration.
Ronaldo Reaches 39 Goals in World Cup Qualifiers
With 39 goals, Ronaldo now stands as the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifying history. After the match, he posted on social media: “Two games, two victories! Let’s go, Portugal!”
Hungary, which has never beaten Portugal in its head-to-head history, came close to victory this time. Varga gave the hosts hope twice, first in the 21st minute with a header to open the scoring, and then again in the 84th minute with another header to level the match at 2-2.
Cancelo Fires Portugal’s Winning Goal
In just the 2nd minute, João Cancelo struck from long range to give Portugal the lead. Bernardo Silva later equalised for the visitors in the 36th minute.
After the game, he commented, “We knew this match would be very tough. We made some mistakes, and the opponent defended strongly. The most important thing is these six points; we’ve taken a big step toward qualifying for the World Cup.”
Martinez Reflects on Portugal’s Performance
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez said, “Winning after conceding twice is never easy. What I truly appreciate is the players’ attitude and focus throughout the game. We need to control matches better, and this one was beneficial for our improvement.”
Currently in Group F, Portugal leads the table with 6 points. Armenia, after defeating Ireland 2-1, sits second with 3 points. Both Hungary and Ireland have one draw and one loss, earning just 1 point each.
This victory not only keeps Portugal firmly on top of Group F but also highlights Ronaldo’s decisive influence on the pitch.
As the qualifiers progress, Portugal is steadily marching toward the World Cup stage, while Ronaldo continues to write his enduring legacy.
