Portugal Beat Hungary 3-2 in World Cup Thriller

Portugal maintained their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a pulsating 3-2 victory over Hungary in Budapest on Tuesday. The Nations League champions now sit atop Group F with six points from two matches, following their earlier 5-0 triumph against Armenia.

Early Hungarian Resistance

Despite Portugal dominating possession from the outset, it was the spirited hosts who drew first blood. Ferencvaros striker Barnabas Varga capitalized on a defensive lapse to head home Zsolt Nagy’s cross, giving Hungary an unexpected lead against Roberto Martinez’s star-studded lineup.

Portugal’s response was swift and emphatic. Bernardo Silva restored parity for the visitors before Cristiano Ronaldo added his name to the scoresheet, demonstrating why he remains integral to his country’s ambitions. However, Varga wasn’t finished, netting his second goal of the evening to level the contest once more.

Cancelo’s Decisive Strike

The match’s defining moment came when Joao Cancelo unleashed a perfectly placed shot from the edge of the penalty area, securing all three points for Portugal in dramatic fashion. The Manchester City defender’s strike proved the difference in what many are calling one of the most entertaining qualifiers of the campaign.

Speaking after the match, Silva acknowledged the challenges faced: “We knew it would be complicated, we made mistakes and allowed transitions. It’s always difficult to find balance against teams that defend with such a low block.”

Portugal’s victory puts them in commanding position in Group F, three points clear of Armenia, as they take “a giant step towards securing qualification for the World Cup.”