Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and set a new World Cup qualifying record, but Portugal were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw against Hungary in Lisbon, missing the chance to secure early qualification for the 2026 tournament.
The 40-year-old striker now has 41 goals in World Cup qualifying, surpassing the previous record of 39 held by former Guatemala forward Carlos Ruiz. Ronaldo also extended his tally to 143 international goals and 948 in his overall career.
Hungary opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Attila Szalai, who found the net after being set up by Dominik Szoboszlai. Portugal responded in the 22nd minute when Ronaldo converted from six yards after Nelson Semedo delivered a low cross from the right.
Just before half-time, Ronaldo struck again with a composed finish following a delivery from Nuno Mendes, putting Portugal 2-1 ahead and seemingly on course to qualify from Group F.
However, in the 91st minute, Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai fired home an equaliser to keep Hungary’s hopes of topping the group alive and deny Portugal the victory they needed.
Despite the late setback, Portugal remain five points clear at the top of the group with two matches left. Their next opportunity to seal qualification comes on 13 November when they travel to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland.
England secured their place at next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States with a 5-0 win over Latvia in Group K.
Hungary remain second in Group F, one point ahead of the Republic of Ireland, who defeated Armenia 1-0 in Dublin.
Ronaldo, in his 22-year international career, has helped Portugal win the European Championship in 2016 and the Uefa Nations League twice. The closest he has come to winning the World Cup was in 2006 when Portugal reached the semi-finals, losing to France before being beaten by Germany in the third-place play-off.
