Ronaldo sets another record as Hungary keep Portugal waiting for WC

Ronaldos record-breaking night ended in frustration as the draw left Portugal waiting for World Cup qualification. Photo- Collected

Dhaka, October 15 — Portugal were just three minutes away from sealing their World Cup spot on Tuesday night, but Dominik Szoboszlai’s late strike for Hungary forced a 2–2 draw and kept the hosts waiting despite another record-breaking performance from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Attila Szalai gave Hungary an early lead in the Group F qualifier in Lisbon, before Ronaldo struck twice in the first half to put Portugal ahead. In the first minute of added time, Szoboszlai slid in at the far post to earn the visitors a dramatic point.

With his first goal of the night, Ronaldo became the outright top scorer in World Cup qualifying history, taking his tally to 40 — one ahead of Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz.

Portugal started brightly, creating their first chance in the fifth minute when Ronaldo fired narrowly wide from outside the box. Two minutes later, Diogo Costa denied Roland Sallai with a diving save, but Hungary went ahead from the resulting corner as Szalai powered home a header.

Ronaldo levelled in the 22nd minute, turning in Nélson Semedo’s cross from close range, before heading home another in first-half stoppage time from Nuno Mendes’ delivery to make it 2–1 at the break.

The Portuguese captain now has 143 international goals in 225 appearances — both world records.

Portugal missed several chances to extend their lead after halftime. Semedo’s shot was saved at the near post, while efforts from Rúben Dias and Bruno Fernandes were denied by the post and the goalkeeper respectively. Substitute João Félix also went close with a header.

Hungary kept pressing, and Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time finish from Dániel Lukács’s low cross ensured a share of the points.

After four matches, Portugal lead Group F with 10 points from three wins and one draw, followed by Hungary with five. In the group’s other fixture, Ireland beat 10-man Armenia 1–0 to climb to third on four points, with Armenia bottom on three.

In Group I, Italy confirmed at least a runners-up finish after a 3–0 win over Israel. With 15 points from six matches, they trail leaders Norway, who have a perfect record of 18 points and a goal difference of +26, compared to Italy’s +10. Gennaro Gattuso’s side must win big in their final game to overtake them. - UNB