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World Cup qualifying roundup: Portugal and record-breaking Ronaldo denied by Hungary | World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Cristiano Ronaldo set a record for World Cup qualifying goals but the Group F leaders Portugal were denied early World Cup qualification by a late Hungary equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw.

Two Ronaldo goals – the first his 40th in qualifying to set the landmark – put Portugal on the verge of qualification but Liverpoolâ€s Dominik Szoboszlai struck in added time to stop the celebration party in Lisbon.

Portugalâ€s next chance to confirm their place in the World Cup finals tournament next year will be against Republic of Ireland in Dublin next month.

Evan Fergusonâ€s fourth goal in five competitive internationals kept the Republic of Irelandâ€s World Cup dream alive as they edged past 10-man Armenia to claim their first Group F victory.

The head coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, had admitted in advance that he would accept a “shitty†performance and a 1-0 win on a night when victory was the only option, and Ireland eventually delivered – if only just – as they made the most of Tigran Barseghyanâ€s senseless second-half dismissal for a headbutt on Finn Azaz.

Ferguson, who had passed up a glorious opportunity to open the scoring seconds earlier, dispatched a 70th-minute header to seal a 1-0 win at the Aviva Stadium and ensure Portugalâ€s visit to Dublin and the trip to Hungary which follows it are meaningful, if daunting.

Italy kept alive their hopes of qualifying automatically with a 3-0 win against Israel courtesy of two goals from Mateo Retegui and a late header from Gianluca Mancini in Udine. The Italians remain three points behind the Group I leaders Norway, whom they meet at home next month. The bottom two teams Estonia and Moldova drew 1-1.

England have won Group K but Serbia remain in the hunt for second place after beating Andorra 3-1 with Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic both on the scoresheet. Serbia will battle it out with Albania, one point ahead, for the runners-up spot.

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Turkey remain three points behind the Group E leaders Spain after a 4-1 win against Georgia with Merih Demiral (two), Kenan Yildiz and Yunus Akgun all on target for the hosts.

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