Fresh off UEFA Nations League success and in much stronger form than their opponents, Portugal had a certain swagger about their early play, but they failed to make the most of their openings and found themselves behind with 20 minutes gone.
Zsolt Nagy was released down the left-hand side and planted his cross perfectly on the head of Barnabas Varga, who directed it in off the post.
Portugal’s endeavour couldn’t be faulted, but their luck didn’t improve even as they started to hit the target. Cristiano Ronaldo was particularly aggrieved when his close-range effort was somehow deflected wide by Hungary stopper Balazs Toth, a fate which also befell Joao Neves’ attempt just moments later.
But the visitors did finally find a breakthrough, and headed into the tunnel in better spirits thanks to a fortunate touch from Joao Cancelo, which Bernardo Silva controlled in space and booted into the top corner from just a few yards out.
Portugal continued to apply pressure after the restart, and duly – and deservedly – completed the turnaround in the 58th minute. Loic Nego looked unlucky to give away a penalty when the ball ricocheted off his arm in the area, but Ronaldo had no second thoughts in burying it into the bottom left from 12 yards, making him the all-time leading goalscorer in WCQs.
Now trailing, the hosts were much improved, and remarkably found themselves level again when Nego’s cross bounced awkwardly for the Portugal defence and was nodded in again by Varga.
But the Puskas Arena’s jubilation was cut short less than two minutes later when the visitors responded to deal the final blow, as Bernardo Silva laid off Cancelo to sweep in from the edge of the area.
With just one point from two games, chances of Hungary guaranteeing a spot in a first World Cup since 1986 through the group stage are looking slim, but they will be confident of beating Armenia and the Republic of Ireland to the playoff spot.
Perhaps the strongest current national team to have never lifted a World Cup, Portugal already look good value to qualify, and will have high hopes of hosting the tournament as title holders in 2030.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joao Cancelo (Portugal)
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