Portugal Triumphs 3-2 Over Hungary with Cancelo’s Late Strike

Portugal secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Hungary in their World Cup qualifier held in Budapest on March 26, 2024. The match witnessed a dramatic finish, with Joao Cancelo scoring the decisive goal just two minutes after Hungary had equalised, maintaining Portugal’s position at the top of Group F with two away victories.

Hungary initially took the lead in the 21st minute through Barnabas Varga, who connected with a precise cross from Zsolt Nagy, heading the ball in off the upright. The home crowd erupted in celebration, but Portugal responded with determination. In the 36th minute, Bernardo Silva equalised with a close-range strike, demonstrating Portugal’s resilience.

The visitors turned the tide shortly after equalising. A flick-on from Cristiano Ronaldo was handled by Varga in the penalty area, leading to a penalty kick. Ronaldo, now 40 years old, calmly converted the spot kick into the bottom corner, putting Portugal ahead before half-time.

Hungary, who had drawn 2-2 against Ireland in their previous qualifier, fought back valiantly. With six minutes remaining in regular time, Varga scored his second goal, heading the ball past the Portuguese goalkeeper to level the match at 2-2. The hosts appeared poised to secure a valuable point, but Portugal had other plans.

Just two minutes after Hungary’s equaliser, Cancelo struck a powerful first-time shot from outside the box following a pass from Silva. His goal in the 84th minute not only secured the win for Portugal but also underscored their attacking prowess throughout the match.

This victory adds to Portugal’s previous 5-0 triumph over Armenia on March 23, 2024, solidifying their place at the top of Group F with six points. Armenia’s earlier win against Ireland on Tuesday places them second with three points, while both Hungary and Ireland remain on one point.

Portugal’s performance emphasizes their strong start in the qualifiers and sets a competitive tone for their upcoming matches. The team is poised to continue their pursuit of a spot in the World Cup, with Ronaldo leading the charge even in the twilight of his illustrious career.