Portugal has an important World Cup qualifier match against Hungary tonight at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Portugal has the opportunity to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a win over Hungary.
Portugal is currently first in the group with Hungary, Armenia, and Ireland with nine points after three matches played.
Portugal needed a 91st-minute goal from Ruben Neves to secure three points over Ireland a few days ago.
Portugal struggled to break down Ireland in the previous match, and Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in the 75th minute when he shot straight down the middle, and Ireland's Caoimhin Kelleher stopped it with his leg.
Ronaldo played the full match against Ireland, and the 40-year-old striker is taking care of at Portugal and at Al Nassr with the amount of minute he get on the pitch.
The Portuguese striker trained with the rest of the team ahead of the Hungary match and is set to play tonight in the crucial World Cup qualifier match.
Ronaldo is expected to start and play against Hungary due to the importance of the match. Portugal's goal heading into this international break was to win against Ireland and Hungary to qualify directly to the 2026 World Cup.
The game against Ireland showed a challenge for Portugal, and when Ronaldo missed his penalty kick, many thought that Portugal would drop points and lose the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup during this international break.
Ahead of the match against Hungary, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez was asked about the Ronaldo penalty miss from the previous match.
Martinez continues to back Ronaldo and said, "The player who takes penalties can miss them; only the one who takes them can miss them.”
The last time Portugal played Hungary, the Portuguese national team won 3-2 away from home. Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Portugal against Hungary last month.
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