{"id":214305,"date":"2025-10-15T03:53:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T03:53:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/214305\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T03:53:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T03:53:32","slug":"hungary-deny-portugal-ronaldo-early-world-cup-berth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/214305\/","title":{"rendered":"Hungary deny Portugal, Ronaldo early World Cup berth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new record for World Cup qualifying goals but Hungary grabbed a late 2-2 draw to stop Portugal from reaching next summer’s tournament with two games to spare.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After Attila Szalai netted for the visitors, Ronaldo’s first-half brace put Roberto Martinez’s side on the verge of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n

However, Dominik Szoboszlai struck in stoppage time to make Portugal wait and boost his nation’s hopes of making it to the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n

Martinez’s side top Group F with 10 points, five clear of Hungary.<\/p>\n

Portugal snatched a late victory from a five-goal thriller when the teams met in Hungary in September, as Marco Rossi’s side showed their steel.<\/p>\n

Hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986, Hungary again proved a tough nut to crack.<\/p>\n

They took an early lead through Szalai, when the tall defender headed home from Szoboszlai’s corner after eight minutes.<\/p>\n

Ronaldo, still leading the line for his country at 40, soon levelled, tucking home after Nelson Semedo crossed for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.<\/p>\n

N\u00e9lson Semedo puts it on a plate for Ronaldo to finish \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa Stream #EuropeanQualifiers<\/a> on DStv: https:\/\/t.co\/B0jLrQW5cc<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6zv3BzXuLT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SuperSport Football \u26bd\ufe0f (@SSFootball) October 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

It was his 40th goal in World Cup qualifying, setting a new record ahead of retired Guatemala international Carlos Ruiz on 39.<\/p>\n

Ronaldo, who missed a penalty against Ireland at the weekend, extended his tally before half-time with his 143rd international goal, also an all-time record.<\/p>\n

\ud835\udc13\ud835\udc21\ud835\udc1e \ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc1c\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc1d\ud835\udc2c \ud835\udc24\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc29 \ud835\udc1c\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc26\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc20 \ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the all-time top scorer in World Cup Qualifiers \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9\ud83d\udd1d<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa Stream #EuropeanQualifiers<\/a> on DStv: https:\/\/t.co\/B0jLrQW5cc<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/p09o4VM7cz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SuperSport Football \u26bd\ufe0f (@SSFootball) October 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The veteran was in the right place at the right time again to clinically finish off a cross from Nuno Mendes and give his team the edge in an end-to-end clash.<\/p>\n

Hungary pushed for an equaliser in the second half and Szalai hit the crossbar with another header.<\/p>\n

Martinez took off Ronaldo, who is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup, but Portugal could not keep hold of their lead.<\/p>\n

Eventually Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai found the leveller when he arrived at the back post to finish off Daniel Lukacs’s low cross which found its way through.<\/p>\n