Ronaldo Equals World Cup Qualifying Goal Record in Portugal's Dramatic Win

On September 9, 2025, Portugal narrowly defeated Hungary 3-2 in a World Cup qualifying match, but the victory was overshadowed by controversy surrounding the team's manager, Roberto Martinez.

The Spanish tactician's decision to deploy midfielder Ruben Neves as a center-back alongside Ruben Dias was met with widespread criticism from Portugal fans, who took to social media to vent their frustrations. Despite the team's eventual win, supporters were left confused and concerned by Martinez's unorthodox tactical approach.

Nonetheless, the match proved to be a significant one for Portugal's talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo. The 40-year-old superstar scored from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, equaling the record for the most goals scored in World Cup qualifying history with 39 – a tally previously held by Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz and three ahead of Lionel Messi's record for Argentina.

The game was a tightly contested affair, with Hungary taking the lead through Barnabas Varga in the 21st minute. However, Bernardo Silva equalized for Portugal in the 36th minute, setting the stage for Ronaldo's record-breaking penalty and a late winner from Joao Cancelo in the 86th minute to secure the three points for the Selecao.

Despite the victory, the focus remains on Martinez's controversial tactical decisions, with fans calling for the manager to reconsider his approach and field more traditional center-backs in future matches.