Ronaldo’s Record Not Enough as Hungary Hold Portugal

Published: 15 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Cristiano Ronaldo etched another milestone into football history on Tuesday night, but his record-breaking performance was not enough to secure Portugal’s early qualification for next year’s World Cup. Despite the veteran striker’s two goals putting Portugal in a commanding position, a stoppage-time equaliser from Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai stunned the Lisbon crowd and forced Roberto Martínez’s side to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Ronaldo’s first goal of the night — his 40th in World Cup qualifying — established a new all-time record in the competition, further extending his remarkable international legacy. His second, a trademark finish midway through the second half, appeared to seal Portugal’s progress from Group F. Yet Hungary, resilient throughout, had other plans. Szoboszlai’s dramatic injury-time strike not only earned his team a crucial point but also delayed Portugal’s celebrations and injected new life into the group’s final stages.

Portugal now faces a potentially decisive fixture in Dublin next month, where they will take on the Republic of Ireland — a team revived by a narrow but crucial win over Armenia earlier in the evening.

Evan Ferguson, Ireland’s emerging star, scored his fourth goal in five competitive internationals to hand his side their first Group F victory. The 1-0 triumph at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium kept their slim qualification hopes alive. The win was far from pretty — head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson had even joked before kickoff that he would settle for a “shitty performance and a 1-0 win” — but Ferguson’s header in the 70th minute, moments after missing a golden chance, ultimately justified that pragmatic approach.

Armenia’s challenge crumbled when Tigran Barseghyan was sent off for a reckless headbutt on Finn Azaz in the second half, reducing them to 10 men. Ireland capitalised on the numerical advantage and held firm to claim a much-needed three points. The victory ensures that Ireland’s next two matches — against Portugal in Dublin and away to Hungary — will still carry meaningful stakes, even if the path ahead remains steep.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy reignited their own qualification hopes with a convincing 3-0 victory over Israel in Udine. Mateo Retegui struck twice before Gianluca Mancini added a late header to seal the win, lifting the Azzurri to within three points of Group I leaders Norway. Italy’s next fixture, a showdown with Norway in Rome next month, could determine who qualifies automatically and who faces the playoff route.

At the other end of that group, Estonia and Moldova shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw that did little to alter their standing at the bottom of the table but maintained national pride on both sides.

England, meanwhile, continued their dominance in Group K, having already sealed top spot. Behind them, Serbia strengthened their bid for the runner-up position with a solid 3-1 win over Andorra. Star forwards Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic were both on the scoresheet, ensuring Serbia remain within striking distance of Albania, who hold a narrow one-point advantage heading into the final rounds. The race for second place — and a playoff berth — promises to go down to the wire.

In Group E, Turkey kept up pressure on leaders Spain with a commanding 4-1 home victory over Georgia. Merih Demiral was the unlikely hero with a brace, while Kenan Yildiz and Yunus Akgun also found the net to the delight of a passionate home crowd in Istanbul. The result leaves Turkey three points behind Spain, who remain in control of the group but cannot yet afford to relax.

The night’s results underscored the unpredictability and drama of the European qualifying campaign — a journey where even footballing giants such as Portugal and Italy cannot take progress for granted. For Ronaldo, the evening brought yet another personal accolade, but also a reminder that even records mean little without results. As Group F moves toward its conclusion, all eyes will be on Dublin next month, where the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and his team will have a second chance to secure their place among the world’s elite.