Did Ronaldo Make History While Portugal's Quest for World Cup Qualification Falter?
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Synopsis
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to break records, but Portugal's hopes for direct qualification for the FIFA World Cup are dashed as they draw with Hungary. With a chance to secure their place in their next match, the stakes are high for the national team. Meanwhile, Cote d'Ivoire has successfully qualified for the upcoming tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Cristiano Ronaldo set a new record in World Cup qualifying.
- Portugal's qualification hopes are still alive but in jeopardy.
- Hungary put up a strong fight, keeping their chances alive.
- Cote d'Ivoire is back in the World Cup after a long absence.
- Upcoming matches will be crucial for Portugal and the Republic of Ireland.
Lisbon, Oct 15 (NationPress) Cristiano Ronaldo achieved yet another milestone, becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying history. However, Portugal faced disappointment as they conceded a late equalizer to Hungary, thwarting their hopes for direct qualification for the FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo's two goals, including his landmark 40th in qualifiers, had put Portugal on the brink of securing their spot. Yet, a last-minute strike from Dominik Szoboszlai resulted in a 2-2 draw, leaving Portugal's aspirations for a seventh consecutive World Cup finals in suspense.
Hungary's Attila Szalai opened the scoring with a header, silencing the home crowd. Ronaldo then capitalized on assists from full-backs Nelson Semedo and Nuno Mendes to give Portugal a brief lead. Despite efforts from Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias to extend the advantage, Szalai's equalizer came after halftime.
Hungary remains five points behind Portugal, still in contention for the automatic qualification spot, thanks to a brilliant assist from Daniel Lukacs to Szoboszlai.
Portugal will have another opportunity to secure their World Cup berth against the Republic of Ireland next month in Dublin.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland celebrated their first win in World Cup qualifying by narrowly defeating 10-man Armenia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Armenia's captain, Tigran Barseghyan, received a red card in the 52nd minute, paving the way for Evan Ferguson to score the sole goal in a tightly contested match.
In other news, Cote d'Ivoire has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, securing their place with a commanding 3-0 victory over Kenya in their final Group F match. This victory allowed them to finish ahead of Gabon.
This will mark Cote d'Ivoire's return to the World Cup for the first time since their group stage exit in Brazil 2014.
Point of View
It's vital to remain impartial while supporting our national teams. While Ronaldo's achievements are commendable, the team's inability to secure a World Cup spot on this occasion is a cause for concern. Portugal must regroup and focus on their upcoming matches to fulfill their World Cup ambitions.
NationPress
15/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Cristiano Ronaldo set?
Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying history.
Why did Portugal not qualify directly for the World Cup?
Portugal drew 2-2 with Hungary, allowing their hopes for direct qualification to remain unfulfilled.
When is Portugal's next match?
Portugal will face the Republic of Ireland next month in Dublin.
Who is Cote d'Ivoire facing in the World Cup?
Cote d'Ivoire has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and will compete in the tournament.
What was the outcome of the Republic of Ireland's match?
The Republic of Ireland secured their first win in World Cup qualifying by defeating Armenia.
