Hungary vs Portugal - Player Ratings | OneFootball

Portugal followed their thumping away victory over Armenia with a resolute display of mental toughness to overcome Hungary 3-2 in Budapest last night. Martinez nominated Rúben Neves for his first-ever role as centreback alongside Rúben Dias with João Félix making way for Bernardo Silva. Nevertheless, and for the second match running, João Cancelo broke the game wide open, assisting Bernardo's opener and stealing the result from the hosts with a fine strike from the edge of the area to put Portugal in command of Group F.

Starters

Diogo Costa - 6

Aside from picking the ball out of his own net on two occasions - neither of which were his fault - Costa had very little to do all evening. Having a brand new CB pairing in front of him was not particularly helpful. Against another opponent his evening could have gone very differently.

Nuno Mendes - 6.5

The cause I am unsure of - perhaps his back was hurting from all the times he has carried Portugal in the past - but Mendes was bang average last night. Almost all Portugal's attacking momentum came down the right while Mendes struggled with Bolla and Négo on the left. In a predominantly defensive role, he won a match high 4 aerial challenges but also logged the lowest pass completion of any starting player - 87%. Not as often on the ball and appeared frustrated with the Hungarian's physicality. Portugal's best player in recent times, Mendes will hopefully be encouraged by how Cancelo opened the entire right side of Portugal's formation, releasing his obligation to wrestle victory from the jaws of defeat.

Rúben Neves - 6

It went about like one might expect - being shoehorned into a new role at CB in a high-profile match on the road. His individual performance should be weighted accordingly. Neves added an interesting vertical dimension to Portugal's distribution from the backline initially. Heavily involved throughout with 105 touches, second only to Cancelo. On the first goal, Neves was too far upfield allowing Nagy to dink in an easy cross. Later, in the 84th minute, when called upon to do what all centrebacks must do - contest aerial crosses with physical strikers - Neves was painfully second best to Barnabás Varga. An experiment worth trying? May the reader be the judge.. Martinez clearly rates Neves but the Al Hilal man's defensive liabilities showed last night.

Rúben Dias - 7

In short, Dias was asked to do far too much in the absence of a true CB beside him. Truthfully, there were many players revolving in and out of the space next to Dias - Vitinha, for example, in a failed effort to outjump Varga for Hungary's opener. Logged a match high 5 clearances and won 2 aerial challenges. Could he have done better to clear Négo's cross for Varga's second goal? Yes, but with players wandering here and there in front of him, Dias did just enough to keep the defenisve effort level.

João Cancelo, PortuGOAL.net's Man of the Match

All over the pitch reminiscent of how Nuno Mendes has played for much of the last two years. The only one unbothered by Martinez's tactical change. Even with Neto moving to the left, Cancelo's movement and energy opened the right flank for business. Went close on an outstanding cross to Bruno Fernandes in the 7' then teed up Bernardo for Portugal's opener to ignite the match. Shot agonizingly wide after another great move down his side of the pitch minutes before halftime. Called the keeper into action again in the 69' - dragging the ball left then right then left again before shooting with venom. And it was destiny he would deliver the killer goal - cleverly dispossessed Kerkez in midfield, darted into position to receive Bernardo's return pass then placed an unstoppable effort beyond Tóth to seal the game. Match high 3 dribbles, 3 aerials won, 2 key passes, 109 touches - a breathless, masterful performance from the right back. And we have all seen this world-dominating version of Cancelo before only for him to mysteriously fade away. Will this version of Cancelo be the new norm?

Vitinha - 7

Being asked to cover down at CB was perhaps the only job he did not do well last night. Completed 100/101 passes on 105 touches. Showed menace with a pinpoint cross to Neves in the 33' but like the previous match was inclined to dictate match tempo. He and Neves brought measure of stability with Portugal's backline in flux all evening.

João Neves - 6.5

Nothing spectacular last night, but it is already begining to seem like a distant memory that he struggled initialy for the Seleção. Great re-direct of Cancelo's cross to Ronaldo nearly led to Portugal's opener in the 31st minute. Desperately unlucky not to score after cushioning Vitinha's excellent cross with his chest to work in a shot on the half volley. He looks comfortable and you get the sense he and Vitinha will remain the foundation of Portugal's midfield.

Bruno Fernandes - 6

Made an excellent run forward in the 7’, just missing Cancelo's cross. Nearly found Ronaldo in the 25' then drifted off.  Contributed two key passes but dispossessed twice, zero completed dribbles, no tackles and no shots. Outshone by Bernardo, adding to the chorus suggesting the two cannot start together. One must stay, the other must go.

Bernardo Silva - 7.5

Initially, he looked too slow to be of much aid to Cancelo on the right, but hard to find fault in his 36' opener - a thumping finish. Three key passes including an assist for Cancelo, two tackles and 91% passing on 89 touches. A far better version of himself last night, and he needed this performance with Félix hot on his heels to start.

Pedro Neto - 5.5

Started on the left and struggled. Moved to the right before halftime and struggled. Finally got off a shot in the 72' before being withdrawn but Neto did not locate his best form this international break. Took good care of the ball and recorded two key passes but he and Mendes were shut down on the left.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 7

Starved of service all night - ony 21 touches. Very nearly got to Neto’s headed pass following a deflected cross in the 17’. Controlled Neves' 31st minute layoff with a first touch worth a second watch then inspired the save-of-the-match from Tóth. Brought another sharp save out of Tóth before winning a crucial PK when his goalbound effort was handled inside the area. And just when it looked as if he had overthought the run-up, he buried it as one would expect of a man who has 943 career goals. No dribbles, no key passes, just shots on target and goals. Cristiano Ronaldo, ladies and gentlemen.

Substitutes

Trincão - 6

Another performance in which he looked out of his depth. Stayed on the periphery with just 16 touches and a match-low 69% passing completion.

Félix - 6.5

Was either slow to cover or had a miscommunication with Nuno Mendes, allowing Négo acres of space to cross for Varga. Energetic and efficient on the ball, hitting Mendes' layoff just the wrong side of the left upright in stoppage time.

Palhinha - 6.5

Has to be frustrated with all the love Neves gets from Martinez. Two things stood out: first, he missed on an easy pass to open up a counter then was booked for a typical sliding challeng in which we won the ball but came through the player. Whatever the reason may be, Martinez wants a crisp-passing, controlled player in defensive midfield. Palhinha is neither.

Gonçalo Ramos - not rated