Portugal will be looking to keep their perfect start going when they take on Hungary at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Roberto Martínez’s men are top of Group F with three wins out of three, and things really seem to be clicking for them lately. Their last outing, that emotional 1-0 win over Ireland, came right at the death thanks to Rúben Neves.
It wasn’t just another game; it was their first home match since the passing of Diogo Jota, and you could feel the emotion all around. Softfootball even reported that fans went crazy on social media over that Ruben Neves clutch winner.
Hungary comes into this one sitting second in the group but five points behind. They finally ended a rough patch with that 2-0 win over Armenia last week, probably a relief for Marco Rossi after six straight without a victory. Still, their away record doesn’t inspire too much confidence. Just one win from their last four on the road in qualifiers and nine goals conceded in that time. They’ll need a near-perfect night to get anything here.
Portugal posted a preparatory video on their official X account.
History doesn’t help them either. Portugal have never lost to Hungary in 16 meetings (9 wins, 4 draws), including a comfortable 3-0 win earlier in this campaign.
Team News
João Cancelo and João Neves are out injured, which is a small blow, but Martínez’s squad depth is ridiculous anyway. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, João Félix and Rúben Dias all look set to start again. And yes, Ronaldo should lead the line because who else?
For Hungary, Barnabás Varga returns from suspension and is expected to slot right back into attack. Szoboszlai, of course, remains the team’s spark, while Gulácsi keeps his place in goal.
Possible Lineups
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Costa; Dalot, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Trincao, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo
Hungary (3-4-2-1): B. Toth; Nego, Orban, Szalai, Kerkez; Bolla, Styles, Schafer, Szoboszlai; Sallai, Varga
Match Insight
Portugal has a peculiar tendency to score the majority of their goals in the second half. In their last eight encounters with Hungary, seven of those goals were scored after the break. However, they have only recorded three clean sheets in their past 14 games, which might concern Martínez slightly.
Hungary, on the other hand, likes to start well. They’ve scored before half-time in three of their last four games, though holding on after that has been a problem. They’ve lost the last four H2Hs with Portugal, and all three away ones ended 3-0.
Bernardo Silva might be one to watch again; he scored and assisted in the reverse fixture, and every single one of his 14 goals for Portugal came in wins. Szoboszlai remains Hungary’s biggest hope; three of his last four goals for the Magyars came in away games, which says a lot.
Softfootball’s Prediction
Hungary will fight, sure, but this feels like another night for Portugal to take full control. With Bruno and Bernardo in form and Ronaldo hungry as ever, it’s hard to see anything but a home win.
Prediction: Portugal 3–1 Hungary
