Portugal came back from behind to win their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Hungary. The UEFA Nations League champions edged Hungary 3-2 on Tuesday, 9 September 2025.
Captain Fantastic Cristiano Ronaldo put his country in the lead for the first time in the clash in the 58th minute of the second half. Hungary’s Barnabas Varga put his side back in the game when he scored his second of the night in the 84th minute.
Varga had netted Hungary’s lead in the 21st minute of the match. His goal was cancelled by Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva in the 36th minute. Going into the halftime break, the score was 1-1.
With the score at 2-2, Joáo Cancelo stepped up for Portugal and scored the winning goal in the 86th minute. Portugal was the superior side in the match, having enjoyed a 69% ball possession. They also had seven shots on target.
Portugal now leads Group F with six points after two games. Armenia moved to the second place after beating Ireland 2-1 in their second qualifier.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo scores brace as Portugal thumps Armenia 5-0 in 2026 World Cup qualifier
Did Hungary and Portugal Win Their First 2026 World Cup Qualifiers?
In their Group F opening match on 6 September 2025, Portugal showed no mercy when they demolished Armenia 5-0. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Joáo Félix netted twice in the showdown. Joáo Cancelo scored the other goal for Portugal.
On the same day, Hungary played a 2-2 draw with Ireland. Barnabás Varga and Roland Sallai put Hungary in the lead when they scored in the first half of the dramatic encounter.
Ireland came back stronger in the second half and snatched a hard-fought draw, earning themselves a point on the eleventh hour.
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Hungary vs Portugal: Head-to-Head
Portugal brushed aside Hungary 3-0 in Round 1 of the Euros on 15 June 2021. Legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice when his country toyed with Hungary. Raphaël Guerreiro scored the other goal for Portugal.
In a FIFA World Cup qualifier on 3 September 2017, Portugal edged Hungary 1-0. Andre Silva scored the winning goal for his country after being set up by Ronaldo in the 48th minute of the match.
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