Budapest, September 10 (HS): Portugal secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Hungary on Tuesday night in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, climbing to the top of Group F with back-to-back wins.

Manchester City full-back João Cancelo netted a stunning late winner from the edge of the box, while captain Cristiano Ronaldo also found the back of the net to equal the all-time record for most goals in FIFA World Cup qualifying history.

Under Roberto Martínez, Portugal have won both of their opening matches, having thrashed Armenia 5-0 earlier. They now lead the group with six points, followed by Armenia with three.

Hungary started brightly, taking the lead when Barnabás Varga headed in a Zsolt Nagy cross. Before halftime, Hungarian goalkeeper Balázs Tóth brilliantly denied Ronaldo from close range, but minutes later, Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva struck to level the score 1-1.

In the second half, Portugal went ahead as Ronaldo calmly converted a 58th-minute penalty to record his 39th World Cup qualifying goal, drawing level with former Guatemalan star Carlos Ruiz at the top of the all-time chart.

The hosts fought back in the 84th minute when Varga scored his second header of the night to make it 2-2, but Portugal immediately hit back. Just two minutes later, Cancelo capitalized on a quick counter-attack to fire home the decisive strike.

Hungary have not qualified for a World Cup since 1986 and remain winless against Portugal in their head-to-head history.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar