FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Ronaldo equals record for most goals, Portugal tops after beating Hungary

Hungary/Budapest: Portugal topped the points table by beating Hungary 3-2 in a thrilling match on Tuesday night in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

Manchester City's Joao Cancelo scored the winning goal with a brilliant goal from the edge of the box. At the same time, star striker Cristiano Ronaldo also scored a goal to set the joint record for scoring most goals in World Cup qualifying.

Roberto Martinez's team has registered consecutive wins in the first two matches. Earlier, it defeated Armenia 5-0. Portugal now tops Group F with six points, while Armenia is second with three points.

However, the match started in favor of Hungary. Ferencvaros club striker Barnabas Varga scored a header from Zolt Nagy's cross and gave the lead to the host team.

In the first half, Hungary's goalkeeper Balaz Toth brilliantly stopped Ronaldo's shot from close range. But six minutes later, Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva got a chance and scored a goal and made the score 1-1.

In the second half, in the 58th minute, Ronaldo scored a penalty and put Portugal ahead 2-1. This goal was the 39th goal of his World Cup qualifying career, with which he equaled the record of former Guatemala star Carlos Ruiz.

In the 84th minute, Varga equalized Hungary with another header. But just two minutes later, Portugal snatched the ball and attacked rapidly and Cancelo scored the decisive goal to give the team a 3-2 win.

Hungary has not qualified for the World Cup since 1986 and has yet to register a win against Portugal.