Cristiano Ronaldo once again demonstrated that its validity has no expiration date. At 40 years old, the Portuguese captain scored a double in the 2-2 draw against Hungaryreaching 40 goals in World Cup qualifying phases, a new historical mark that surpasses Guatemalan Carlos Ruiz (39).
The Al-Nassr attacker also expanded his impressive record with the national team: 143 international goals, consolidating himself as the all-time top scorer in national teams.
Hungary resists and avoids Portuguese classification
The match, played in Lisbon, began with a scare for the locals. Attila Szalai put Hungary ahead in the 8th minute after a corner from Dominik Szoboszlai. However, Portugal reacted quickly thanks to the scoring instinct of Ronaldo, who equalized after an assist from Nelson Semedo.
Before the break, a cross from Nuno Mendes found the Portuguese captain again, who did not forgive and made it 2-1.
In the second half, the team led by Roberto Martínez controlled the game, but Hungary did not give up. Szalai hit the crossbar with a header, and when the game seemed over, Szoboszlai appeared in added time to make it 2-2.
Portugal remains leader, but will have to wait
With this result, Portugal leads Group F with 10 points, five more than Hungary, which continues to dream of returning to a World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986.
The Portuguese team, which had won all its previous games, will have to wait at least one more day to mathematically seal its ticket to the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Match highlights
Cristiano Ronaldo: double and historical record (40 goals in World Cup qualifiers).
Hungary: equalizes at 90+3 with a goal from Szoboszlai.
Portugal: leader of the group with 10 points.
Pending objective: mathematical classification for the 2026 World Cup.
