Dominik Szoboszlai struck deep into stoppage time to earn Hungary a dramatic 2-2 draw against Portugal in Lisbon on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, halting the hosts’ perfect run in their World Cup qualifying campaign. The late twist denied Roberto Martínez’s men an early ticket to the 2026 finals and left the home crowd stunned at the Estádio José Alvalade.
Softfootball predicted a 3-1 win in favour of Portugal, but football is a game of twists and turns, and Hungary couldn’t have asked for a better start. Just eight minutes in, defender Attila Szalai rose highest to head home from Szoboszlai’s curling corner, silencing the Portuguese fans. It was a sloppy moment for Portugal’s defense, and for a few minutes, the hosts looked rattled. But Cristiano Ronaldo, as always, had other ideas.
The 40-year-old captain fired Portugal level midway through the first half, sliding in to convert Nelson Semedo’s cross for his 141st international goal. Not long after, he made it 142, smashing in a precise volley from Nuno Mendes’ delivery right before half-time. Classic Ronaldo, clinical and ruthless.
Portugal dominated after the break and probably thought the game was done. Pedro Neto forced a good save from Balázs Tóth, while Rúben Dias rattled the post from distance. Bruno Fernandes then hit the woodwork again just moments later, as the Seleção kept the visitors pinned back.
Portugal posted an appreciation message via their official X handle to the fans who witnessed tonight’s drama.
They posted:
Hungary, though, stayed alive. Szalai came close with a header that crashed against the bar, and when Portugal failed to clear their lines in stoppage time, Szoboszlai was there calm and composed, to smash home from close range and snatch a point for Marco Rossi’s men just like Ruben Neves snatched a dramatic winner against Ireland. The Hungarian players celebrated like it was a win, and honestly, it felt like one.
The result means Portugal stay top of Group F with 10 points from four games, still unbeaten but no longer perfect. Hungary remain second, ahead of Ireland, and will take confidence from pushing one of Europe’s giants to the limit on their own turf.
It wasn’t the result Portugal wanted and it surely wasn’t what Ronaldo envisioned but it was a reminder that even the best can get caught off guard when they take their foot off the gas.
