Cristiano Ronaldo continued to defy age and history as he equalled the all-time World Cup qualifying goals record during Portugal’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Hungary on Tuesday night.
The 40-year-old striker netted his 39th goal in World Cup qualifiers, pulling level with Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz. The achievement also placed him three goals ahead of long-time rival Lionel Messi in the all-time standings.
Ronaldo’s penalty at Budapest’s Puskas Arena marked another chapter in his illustrious international career. His tally now stands at 141 goals in 223 appearances for Portugal, a record unmatched in men’s international football.
Portugal Tested in Budapest
Hungary made a strong start when Barnabas Varga struck in the 21st minute, sending the home crowd into raptures. Portugal responded swiftly as Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva levelled the contest with a composed finish in the 36th minute.
The match intensified after the break, with Portugal pushing forward and Hungary defending resiliently. Ronaldo’s moment arrived in the 58th minute when he calmly converted from the penalty spot, adding yet another record-equalling goal to his name.
Hungary, however, were not finished. Varga struck again in the 84th minute to make it 2-2, raising hopes of a valuable point for the hosts. But Portugal showed their quality, and two minutes later Joao Cancelo smashed home the decisive goal to seal victory.
Portugal’s Strong Start Under Martinez
The result leaves Roberto Martinez’s Portugal top of Group F with two wins from two matches, following their 5-0 demolition of Armenia on Saturday. Ronaldo had scored twice in that encounter, underlining his enduring importance to the national side.
Hungary, meanwhile, remain winless, with just a single point to show for their efforts after two fixtures. They are level with the Republic of Ireland, who stumbled in a surprise 2-1 defeat to Armenia.
Ronaldo’s Everlasting Impact
For Ronaldo, the night was more than just another step towards World Cup qualification. His goal brought him level with Ruiz’s long-standing record and kept him firmly in the global spotlight as football’s most prolific international scorer.
As Portugal look ahead to their remaining qualifiers, their captain’s form and leadership continue to be decisive. Even at 40, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down, proving once again why his name is etched among the sport’s greats.