Stoppage-Time Heroics in Budapest Lift Portugal's World Cup Hopes

Portugal’s national side walked out of Budapest with three precious points, a veteran captain who keeps rewriting the record book and a coach who insists nothing has been won yet. In the space of 90 breath-holding minutes the Seleção both underlined its status as group favourite and exposed frailties that foreign fans living here—or plotting a move—will want to track as the road to North America tightens.

High drama in Budapest

Possibly the most striking image from the night was Budapest’s Puskás Arena half-bathed in red and green as travelling supporters erupted after a late comeback completed a 3-2 thriller. It was only matchday two of World Cup 2026 qualifying, yet the tension felt knock-out-round heavy. A forceful low cross from João Cancelo kissed the net in stoppage time moments after Cristiano Ronaldo had claimed the lead from the pressure moments of the penalty spot. For the roughly 5,000 Portuguese expats who made the trip, the win felt like more than an away support triumph—it looked like the first truly essential victory of the Martínez era.

Group F: where the numbers stand

Two fixtures in, the Group F table shows Portugal on 6 points from 2, while Armenia chasing sits three back and Hungary stuck on 1 after its opening draw with Ireland. A goal difference +6 cushions Martínez’s men for now, but UEFA’s head-to-head criteria will trump that figure should ties emerge. Only top spot guarantees direct qualification; runners-up face the play-off detour no squad covets. The October double-header in Lisbon—first Ireland, then a second crack at Hungary—could settle things early if the Alvalade home crowd plays its usual part.

Martínez’s blueprint and warnings

Since January 2023 Roberto Martínez has doubled down on a possession game built around high pressing lanes and a flexible three-at-the-back platform that invites wing-back overloads. Against Hungary the system’s Achilles’ heel appeared when the hosts launched a rapid Hungarian counter into a compact mid-block Portugal struggled to breach. Post-match the coach admitted the team’s transition defense and set-piece rehearsal require polish, highlighting two near-identical goals conceded as case studies in error management.

Ronaldo’s never-ending reinvention

How long can a forward remain elite? At 40 years old Ronaldo keeps moving the line. Teammates talk of relentless training, strict diet discipline and gym sessions at dawn that have yielded 141 international goals—including a fresh record of record-breaking qualifiers, now 39 World Cup-qualifying strikes. Beyond numbers, his leadership aura shapes an otherwise youthful dressing room. In Budapest, Martínez’s praise focused less on statistics and more on the star’s “present-moment obsession,” a mindset the staff believe will future-proof fitness heading into 2026.

Hungary’s renaissance under Rossi

Rival managers now plan for Marco Rossi’s clever three-centre-back scheme and the mercurial Dominik Szoboszlai driving surgical counter-attacks. Hungary arrived with a two-year unbeaten run in competitive matches and carried its Euro 2024 momentum into a venue many locals describe as a modern Budapest fortress. A disciplined midfield repeatedly frustrated Portuguese build-ups, yet two defensive lapses—both on wide deliveries—undid the hosts. For a side unused to conceding at home, the match offered a high-profile lesson in high-stakes learning.

Looking ahead: Lisbon double-header and beyond

Next up is an Ireland visit to Lisbon, followed three nights later by a 14 October rematch with Hungary. For residents and recent arrivals, tickets on sale through the FPF match centre are already moving fast. Expect a kick-off at 19:45 local with domestic coverage on broadcast on RTP1. Metro authorities advise fans to board early on the Lisbon metro advice Green Line (Telheiras) for smooth access to the Alvalade green line stop. November then sends the squad east for a November trip to Yerevan; carriers warn of direct flight scarcity so book early if you fancy a Caucasus getaway to witness what could be the winter qualifying climax of Portugal’s campaign.