Dominik Szoboszlai scored a dramatic 92nd-minute equaliser on Tuesday night as Hungary fought back to hold Portugal to a thrilling 2-2 draw, ending the Seleção’s 100% record in this FIFA World Cup qualifying cycle and delaying their confirmation for next summer’s finals.
Coming into the contest with maximum points from their opening three Group F fixtures, Portugal appeared to be cruising toward a seventh successive World Cup finals appearance. However, Roberto Martínez’s side were stunned early on at home.
Ronaldo Brace Overturns Early Setback
The visitors took a shock lead in the eighth minute when Attila Szalai connected with Szoboszlai’s inswinging corner at the back post, heading Hungary into the lead.
Portugal’s response was swift and led by the irrepressible Cristiano Ronaldo. The striker saw an initial effort smartly saved by Balázs Tóth, but the Magyars’ keeper could do nothing soon after when Ronaldo tapped home from Nélson Semedo’s inch-perfect cross to net his 142nd international goal.
The contest remained open as the first half drew to a close, but it was Portugal who completed their turnaround in stoppage time. Nuno Mendes delivered a cross that Ronaldo clinically volleyed home from six yards, sending the hosts into the break with a crucial 2-1 advantage.
Second Half Woodwork Drama
The hosts pushed to extend their lead at the start of the second period, with Pedro Neto seeing an angled strike thwarted by Tóth. At the other end, Diogo Costa had to remain alert to deny a threatening strike from Szoboszlai.
Portugal ramped up the pressure on the hour mark, desperately trying to wrap up a seventh consecutive win on home soil. Rúben Dias powered a sublime long-range effort against the post, and just a minute later, Bruno Fernandes struck the woodwork.
Grateful for those reprieves, Hungary nearly found an equaliser sooner, with Szalai directing a close-range header against the bar.
The Magyars continued to commit numbers forward in pursuit of a late leveller, and their pressure finally paid dividends in the first minute of stoppage time when Dániel Lukács delivered a cross to the back post, which Szoboszlai converted to level the score at 2-2.
The dramatic result secured a crucial point for the visitors, who remain above the Republic of Ireland in Group F, while Portugal will have to wait until the November window to confirm their qualification for next summer’s showpiece tournament.
