Hungary snatch draw against Portugal and Ronaldo to delay World Cup qualification

Cristiano Ronaldo established a fresh benchmark for goals in World Cup qualifiers, yet Hungary secured a dramatic 2-2 tie at the death, preventing Portugal from booking their spot in the upcoming tournament with matches still remaining.

Following Attila Szalais goal for the away team, Ronaldos pair of strikes in the opening period positioned Roberto Martinezs squad on the brink of advancing to the 2026 World Cup.

That said, Dominik Szoboszlai converted in added time, forcing Portugal to postpone their celebration while enhancing his countrys prospects of joining the event hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Martinezs group leaders hold Group F with 10 points, holding a five-point advantage over Hungary.

Portugal edged a thrilling five-goal encounter with a last-gasp win during their September visit to Hungary, where Marco Rossis outfit displayed remarkable resilience once more.

Aiming for their initial World Cup appearance since 1986, Hungary demonstrated their stubborn resistance yet again.

The visitors struck first via Szalai, the imposing centre-back powering in a header from Szoboszlais corner just eight minutes in.

Ronaldo, continuing to spearhead Portugals attack at age 40, quickly restored parity, slotting past the keeper after Nelson Semedos pinpoint delivery to the five-time Ballon dOr recipient.

This marked his 40th World Cup qualifying strike, surpassing the previous mark held by former Guatemala striker Carlos Ruiz with 39.

Despite squandering a spot-kick against Ireland days earlier, Ronaldo boosted his count before the interval with his 143rd goal for Portugal, another global record.

The experienced forward positioned himself perfectly to dispatch Nuno Mendess inviting cross, handing his side the upper hand in a frenetic battle.

Hungary pressed hard for parity after the restart, Szalai clattering the woodwork with yet another headed effort.

Martinez withdrew Ronaldo, eyeing a potential sixth World Cup outing for the icon, though Portugal failed to cling onto their advantage.

In the end, the Liverpool playmaker Szoboszlai pounced with the equalising finish, arriving late at the far post to convert Daniel Lukacss teasing low delivery that evaded the defence.