Ronaldo levels World Cup qualifying record with goal against Hungary

Cristiano Ronaldo matched a World Cup qualifying goalscoring record as Portugal edged Hungary in a dramatic 2026 qualifier.

The 40-year-old converted a penalty in the 58th minute at the Puskás Arena, marking his 39th goal in World Cup qualifiers.

The tally puts him level with Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz and three ahead of long-time rival Lionel Messi.

The strike also extended Ronaldo’s remarkable international record to 141 goals in 223 appearances, the highest by any male footballer for his country.

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Hungary’s Barnabas Varga opened the scoring in the 21st minute, before Bernardo Silva equalised for Portugal 15 minutes later.

Varga struck again late in the 84th minute, but João Cancelo sealed all three points with a quick response in the 86th.

Ronaldo, who netted twice in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Armenia on Saturday, has helped his side collect maximum points from their opening two Group F fixtures.

Hungary sit third with a single point, level with the Republic of Ireland after their 2-1 defeat in Armenia.