João Cancelo scores late in Hungary to give Portugal a vital 3-2 victory in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers | OneFootball

Portugal took a big step towards the 2026 World Cup after beating Hungary 3-2 in Budapest.

The Magyars opened the scoring against the run of play in the 21st minute, Dominik Szoboszlai releasing Zsolt Nagy whose cross was headed home by Barnabás Varga.

The Seleção equalised in the 36th minute when João Cancelo found Bernardo Silva who smashed the ball past Balázs Tóth. Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead in the 58th minute when he won and converted a penalty.

Hungary stayed in the contest at Puskás Aréna and drew level in the 84th minute when Varga headed Loïc Négo’s cross past Diogo Costa.

Roberto Martinez’s side regained the lead two minutes later, Cancelo winning the ball and finishing off a slick piece of play to cap off another fine individual performance.

The win takes Portugal to six points in Group F, three clear of Armenia and five ahead of Hungary and Republic of Ireland. They will return to action in October when they host Ireland and Hungary at Estádio José Alvalade.

Hungary take the lead

Portugal had plenty of the ball in Budapest, Bruno Fernandes going close to converting João Cancelo’s cross and Nuno Mendes drifting inside where his shot was blocked.

Vitinha was frequently dropping into the middle of a back three which played a part in Portugal falling behind in the 21st minute. Dominik Szoboszlai released Zsolt Nagy who sent a cross into the box, the ball narrowly sailing over Vitinha which allowed Barnabás Varga to head it in off the post.

Portugal bounce back

The Seleção went close to equalising 10 minutes later when João Cancelo found João Neves who volleyed the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, the striker seeing his close range shot saved by Balázs Tóth.

Portugal immediately had another chance when Vitinha’s ball over the top picked out João Neves, he chested the ball down and tested Tóth, Willi Orbán clearing the danger with Ronaldo ready to pounce on the rebound.

The equaliser came in the 36th minute when João Neves’ cross deflected to Cancelo who did well to steer the ball to Bernardo Silva, he was played onside by Milos Kerkez and took advantage by smashing the ball into the net.

Roberto Martinez’s side stayed on the front foot after the break and took the lead in the 58th minute.

Bruno Fernandes’ corner found Ronaldo who saw his volley hit Loïc Négo’s arm, referee Erik Lambrechts taking a few seconds before pointing to the spot where Ronaldo stepped up and squeezed the ball past Tóth.

Marco Rossi brought on Bence Ötvös and Dániel Lukács for Alex Tóth and Zsolt Nagy, Roberto Martinez immediately responding by replacing Fernandes with Francisco Trincão. The game started to open up, Cancelo testing Tóth and Pedro Neto’s shot deflected wide by Orbán.

Magyars equalise

Szoboszlai sent a free kick over the bar which instigated a spell of pressure from the Hungarian side. Martinez brought on João Palhinha and João Félix for João Neves and Neto in an attempt to turn the tide.

It didn’t work with Hungary equalising in the 84th minute. It was a simple goal, Loïc Négo’s cross resulting in Varga getting in front of Rúben Neves and heading the ball past Diogo Costa.

João Cancelo to the rescue

The joy inside the stadium was short lived as the Seleção regained the lead two minutes later. Szoboszlai’s poor pass was picked off by Cancelo, Vitinha and Bernardo Silva combining to return the ball to Cancelo who stroked the ball into the bottom corner.

Vitinha and Cristiano Ronaldo made way for António Silva and Gonçalo Ramos as Portugal closed it out, Félix going close in added time.

Analysis

The statistics show that Portugal had 69% possession, 15-5 shots including 7-2 on target and 2.20-0.34 expected goals. It was far from a comfortable victory however, João Cancelo starting and finishing the match winning goal in the 86th minute.

The 31-year-old has been sensational in the opening two World Cup qualifiers and a welcome return to the squad after Roberto Martínez started João Neves at right-back in both UEFA Nations League matches in June.

I asked Martínez about Cancelo’s impact in the two victories, he said “We all know the quality that João Cancelo has, and I think it makes him a very different player for us. He's so confident on the ball in tight spaces, in big spaces, on the outside, on the inside, his clinical aspect.”

“From day one in training he impressed everyone, so it doesn't surprise me, the level he has achieved. It's a big plus for us to have a player like João Cancelo fully fit, fully focused and ready to help the team.”

Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by Balázs Tóth in the first half but held his nerve to convert a crucial penalty in front of the Hungarian ultras. The 40-year-old has now scored in five straight internationals as he inches towards 1000 career goals.

Bernardo Silva justified his spot in the starting side by scoring the equaliser and assisting Cancelo for the match winner. He worked tirelessly off the ball and gives Martínez a top quality option against well organised defences.

João Neves continues to improve and his midfield partnership with VItinha is surely locked in. The 20-year-old has always shown maturity beyond his years and it has been a pleasure watching him develop at international level where he is on his way to 100+ caps.

Portugal played some fine football in Budapest but the feeling that persists is that the goals conceded were partly a result of Rúben Neves starting in central defence at the expense of Gonçalo Inácio, António Silva or Renato Veiga.

Hungary’s first goal came after Zsolt Nagy got past Rúben Neves and Nagy’s cross sailed narrowly over Vitinha, Barnabás Varga not required to get off the ground to head the ball home. Neves was then caught out when Varga got in front of him and headed Loïc Négo’s cross into the net.

I like Rúben Neves’ game but he is a midfielder, not a central defender. My only criticism of Roberto Martínez is that he tries to be too clever at times, and I think we saw another instance of that in Budapest where João Cancelo turned one point into three.

Regardless, the Seleção did what they had to do to win two away games and take a three point lead at the top of Group F. With a game in Dublin to come alongside three on home soil, qualification for 2026 World Cup will surely be achieved.

Line Ups

Hungary: Balázs Tóth, Loïc Nego, Willi Orbán, Zsolt Nagy (Dániel Lukács, 60’), Attila Szalai, Milos Kerkez (Márton Dárdai, 90’), Bendegúz Bolla (Zsombor Gruber, 90’), Dominik Szoboszlai, Callum Styles (Milán Vitális, 81’), Alex Tóth (Bence Otvos, 60’), Barnabás Varga

Unused substitutes: Dénes Dibusz, Péter Szappanos, Attila Mocsi, Attila Osváth, Gábor Szalai, Roland Sallai, Barna Tóth

Manager: Marco Rossi