Ronaldo Breaks Record but Portugal Draws with Hungary

Cristiano Ronaldo once again made headlines, scoring twice in Portugal’s tense World Cup qualifying clash against Hungary, but a last-minute equaliser left his team with a frustrating 2-2 draw.

Ronaldo, 40, set a new milestone by scoring his 41st goal in World Cup qualifiers, surpassing former Guatemala striker Carlos Ruiz’s record of 39. Despite his heroics, Portugal fell short of sealing qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The match started on a challenging note for Portugal as Hungary’s Attila Szalai converted a setup from Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai in the 8th minute, giving the visitors an early lead. Ronaldo quickly responded, heading in Nelson Semedo’s precise cross to level the score in the 22nd minute.

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Ronaldo’s second strike, just before halftime, marked the 948th goal of his career and his 143rd international goal. A composed finish following Nuno Mendes’ delivery brought Portugal into a commanding position, raising hopes for a crucial win.

However, the drama wasn’t over. In the 91st minute, Szoboszlai’s late strike salvaged a draw for Hungary, keeping their hopes alive in Group F while denying Portugal the immediate satisfaction of qualification. Portugal still leads the group by five points, with two decisive matches remaining. Their next chance to secure a World Cup berth comes against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on 13 November.

Over a 22-year international career, Ronaldo has been a defining figure for Portugal, winning the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League twice. Yet, a World Cup title continues to elude him, with the closest attempt in 2006 ending in a semi-final defeat to France and a third-place play-off loss to Germany.

Ronaldo’s record-breaking feat underlines his enduring impact, proving that even at 40, he remains a formidable force on the international stage. Portugal’s journey to the 2026 World Cup, however, remains tense and uncertain.