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 Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai struck in added time to stop the celebration party in Lisbon.
Portugal’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 Ferguson’s fourth goal in five competitive internationals kept the Republic of Ireland’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 Barseghyan’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 Portugal’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.
