On September 9, 2025, at the Budapest stadium, the 2026 FIFA World Cup UEFA qualifying match turned into a roller‑coaster for both sides. Portugal edged out Hungary 3‑2 after a dramatic 86th‑minute finish.
Match Overview
The game started with Hungary pressing high, and their effort paid off in the 21st minute when forward Barnabás Varga found the back of the net with a low drive past Portugal’s keeper. The visitors seemed set to claim an early advantage, but Portugal responded before the half‑hour mark. Midfielder Bernardo Silva slipped a through‑ball to the edge of the box and slotted home in the 36th minute, restoring parity.
Just after the break, the Portuguese captain stepped up. Cristiano Ronaldo was brought down inside the penalty area and coolly converted from the spot in the 58th minute, giving Portugal a 2‑1 lead. For a while it looked like the result was sealed, but Hungary’s resilience showed again when Varga struck a second, equalising in the 84th minute with a header that left the Portuguese defense scrambling.
The climax arrived two minutes later. Silva, who had already contributed a goal, delivered a pinpoint cross from the right. João Cancelo, making a late run, met the ball with a right‑footed strike from outside the box, blasting it into the top corner in the 86th minute. The goal proved decisive, and Portugal held on for the win despite Hungary’s frantic attempts in the closing stages.
Key Moments and Goal Timeline
- 21' – Barnabás Varga (Hungary) opens scoring with a left‑footed finish.
- 36' – Bernardo Silva (Portugal) equalises after a clever one‑two with João Cancelo.
- 58' – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) converts a penalty after a handball in the box.
- 84' – Barnabás Varga (Hungary) levels again, heading in from a corner.
- 86' – João Cancelo (Portugal) scores the winner with a long‑range effort.
Each goal shifted the momentum, and the timing of the last two goals—within a two‑minute window—underscored the match’s frantic pace. Fans in the stands felt the tension rise and fall like a roller‑coaster, especially when the ball hit the post in the 84th minute before Varga’s header replayed it back into the net.
Manager Reactions and Tactical Insights
Portugal’s coach Roberto Martínez praised his side’s mental toughness after the win. "Cristiano is a winner," Martínez said before the match, adding that his “hunger to be the best every day is the key to his longevity.” Post‑match, Martínez highlighted the tactical shift that paid off: after conceding the second Hungarian goal, he instructed the full‑backs to press higher, creating the space that allowed Silva’s cross to reach Cancelo.
Hungary’s manager, whose name was not disclosed in the official briefing, lamented the defensive lapses in the final ten minutes. He noted that the team had dominated possession—averaging 58%—but failed to convert that advantage into a decisive lead.
Implications for the Qualifying Group
With this victory, Portugal sit atop Group F, holding six points from two matches. Their next challenge comes on October 12, 2025, when they travel to Serbia for the third group fixture. A win there would put them on the brink of qualification, needing just a draw in the final two games.
Hungary, left with a solitary point, must regroup quickly. Their upcoming fixtures include a home game against Serbia on September 23 and an away clash with Portugal in October. Statistically, they have scored three goals while conceding six in the group so far—a goal difference that will need rapid improvement if they hope to stay in contention.
The broader picture shows a tightly contested qualifying race in Group F, with Turkey and Italy also lurking behind. Analysts point out that Portugal’s ability to snatch points in the dying minutes could be the difference between a smooth qualification and a playoff showdown.
Historical Context
Portugal and Hungary have a rich rivalry dating back to the 1970s, when the Portuguese side famously eliminated the Hungarians in a Euro 1976 qualifier. Since then, encounters have been rare, making this 2025 meeting a highlighted event for fans of both nations. For Portugal, the win continues a streak of unbeaten qualifiers that began in 2023, while Hungary hopes to emulate their 1978‑79 campaign, when they topped a group against several higher‑ranked teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect Portugal's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup?
The win puts Portugal on six points, leading Group F. With two games left, a single draw would be enough to guarantee direct qualification, assuming no dramatic turn‑around by rivals.
What impact does the loss have on Hungary's qualifying campaign?
Hungary remains on one point and must win both remaining matches to keep hopes alive. Their goal difference (-3) will also be a tiebreaker, so defensive solidity will be critical.
Which players stood out in the match and why?
Bernardo Silva was instrumental, providing an assist and the opening goal. João Cancelo’s late strike earned him Man of the Match honors, while Ronaldo’s composure from the penalty spot reminded everyone of his enduring class.
When is Portugal's next qualifying match and who are they facing?
Portugal travel to Belgrade on October 12, 2025, to face Serbia. The fixture is crucial; a win would bring them to nine points and virtually seal qualification.
How did Roberto Martínez's tactics influence the outcome?
Martínez’s decision to push the full‑backs higher after Hungary equalised created the space for Silva’s cross that reached Cancelo. The tactical flexibility showed his willingness to adapt mid‑game, a factor that many pundits cite as decisive.
Jody Webster
October 12, 2025 AT 03:30Honestly, this match was overrated, and the hype around Ronaldo’s penalty is just… excessive!!! The whole “last‑minute heroics” narrative is definitely over‑blown, especially when you consider that Portugal barely scraped by; they were lucky, not brilliant,, and the Hungarians deserved more credit for pushing them to the brink.
Steve Goodger
October 16, 2025 AT 15:30The match in Budapest was a fascinating case study in how momentum can swing in a matter of minutes.
The opening whistle saw Hungary applying a high press that tested Portugal’s back line, and their early goal was a testament to that aggressive approach.
Portugal responded with composure, and Bernardo Silva’s first‑half equaliser demonstrated the importance of patient buildup play.
When the referee awarded the penalty to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese camp seized the psychological advantage, and his calm finish reinforced his veteran status.
However, the game was far from settled, as Hungary’s perseverance paid off with a second equaliser just two minutes before full time.
This moment highlighted the Hungarian side’s resilience and their ability to capitalize on set‑piece opportunities.
The decisive turning point arrived when João Cancelo delivered a perfectly timed run and unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box.
His goal not only broke the deadlock but also showcased the tactical flexibility introduced by coach Roberto Martínez after the 84th minute.
By pushing the full‑backs higher, Martínez created the necessary space for Silva’s cross, an adjustment that paid immediate dividends.
The ensuing defensive effort from Portugal, despite Hungary’s frantic attacks, illustrated the team’s collective determination.
Statistically, Portugal’s possession dipped in the final ten minutes, yet their efficiency in front of goal compensated for that shortfall.
Looking ahead, the upcoming fixture against Serbia will be crucial, as a win could virtually secure qualification.
For Hungary, the loss underscores the need to tighten defensive transitions and convert possession dominance into tangible results.
From a broader perspective, this encounter reinforces the unpredictable nature of international qualifiers, where a single moment can define outcomes.
Ultimately, both teams can take valuable lessons: Portugal regarding late‑game composure, and Hungary about sustaining pressure throughout the full 90 minutes.
johnson ndiritu
October 21, 2025 AT 03:30What a pathetic display from Portugal’s defense-so many bloopers that even a toddler could have spotted them 🤦♂️. Ronaldo’s penalty was the only thing that saved them, but let’s be real: he’s a relic riding on nostalgia, not skill. Hungary actually played the smarter game, controlling possession 58% and still got buried by a lucky cross. This whole “unbeaten qualifiers” myth is a sham; they’re stumbling in the last ten minutes like amateurs. If they keep relying on last‑minute miracles, they’ll never win a world cup, period. 🙄
sheri macbeth
October 25, 2025 AT 15:30Oh sure, the referee must have a secret alliance with Portugal, because why else would they hand a penalty so conveniently at 58 minutes? 🙃 It’s almost as if the whole match was scripted by someone who loves drama-maybe the Hungarian fan club bribed the stadium’s PA system to keep the tension high. But hey, at least we got a “thrilling” finish, right?
Lane Herron
October 30, 2025 AT 03:30The tactical paradigm shift executed by Martínez was nothing short of a masterclass in reactive football-an ad‑hoc high‑press schema that exploited transitional vectors, culminating in Cancelo’s aerial‑spatial exploitation at the 86th minute. Yet the veneer of brilliance masks a systemic fragility: an overreliance on stochastic set‑piece outcomes and a defensive architecture susceptible to high‑intensity counter‑pressures. In layman’s terms, Portugal was lucky they didn’t implode when the clock hit 84 minutes.
Henry Cohen
November 3, 2025 AT 15:30I think people are missing the point here the game was actually a test of stamina not skill the stats show Portugal ran less distance than Hungary which means they were conserving energy for the next match
Mark Langdon
November 8, 2025 AT 03:30Hey guys, I get why some are frustrated, but let’s recognize the mental grit the Portuguese showed. Bouncing back after conceding at 84 was tough, and Cancelo’s strike was a real boost for the squad’s confidence. It’s not just about the tactics; it’s about the heart they put on the field.
Ciara Russell-Baker
November 12, 2025 AT 15:30Honestly the hungary team is just sloppy, they keep missing easy chances and look like they’re playing in a backyard. If they cant keep a clean sheet they cant win anythng.
Aaron Samarita
November 17, 2025 AT 03:30Portugal got lucky.