World Cup qualifying roundup: Portugal and record-breaking Ronaldo denied by Hungary

Portugal was on the brink of World Cup qualification with two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, but Hungarys Dominik Szoboszlai equalized in stoppage time, delaying their celebration.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 40th goal in FIFA World Cup qualifying, setting a new record for Portugal and bringing his overall tally to 123 international goals.
Despite Portugal leading 2-1, Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary leveled the match during added time, preventing Portugal from securing a spot in the World Cup finals.
The match took place in Lisbon, where Portugal needed just one more win to qualify for the upcoming World Cup, hosted by FIFA.
Portugal, along with Italy and Spain, remains a strong contender in UEFA qualifying, while Hungary fights to maintain its hopes of reaching the tournament.
With this draw, Portugals next qualifying match will be crucial as they aim to solidify their position for the FIFA World Cup, facing opponents like Georgia and Bulgaria.

Why It Matters

This match underscores the competitive nature of UEFA World Cup qualifying, as Portugal, a traditional football powerhouse, faces unexpected challenges from teams like Hungary. The implications of this draw may affect Portugals momentum and strategy in future matches. As qualifying continues, the outcomes will determine not only Portugals fate but also impact other teams vying for a spot in the prestigious tournament.