Picture this: You’re flexing early because Portugal’s up, your phone is blowing up with “GOAT levels only,” and then? Szoboszlai pulls a plot twist straight out of a Bollywood movie. Yep, we’re still recovering from Portugal vs Hungary, a 2-2 chaosfest that legit delayed World Cup celebrations. If you’ve ever screamed at the TV, switched off at 89′, and come back to emotional damage, congrats: you’re one of us. Here’s how the player ratings went down (so your group chat debate stays spicy and informed).
1. The One With The Record-Breaker (Cristiano Ronaldo — 8.5/10)
When in doubt, call for Dad. Ronaldo banged in his 40th and 41st all-time World Cup qualifier goals, smashing records even on weekdays. The man was everywhere, lurking, lurking, and then laser-finishing (22’, 45+3’). One header, one poacher’s run. Simple, effective, boss energy. Can’t blame him for the soap-opera twist; he did everything except play CB in stoppage time.
Image courtesy Malay Mail
2. Full-Backs With Main-Character Energy (Nélson Semedo & Nuno Mendes — 7/10 each)
If you blinked, you missed Semedo threading in the 1-1 assist and Mendes serving up the go-ahead cross like they’re in a FIFA montage. The overlaps were infinite. The woodwork almost got snapped, and Hungary’s flanks were doing cardio they didn’t sign up for. Didn’t get the clean sheet, but hey, assist de diya toh partial glory mil gaya.
Image courtesy Al Jazeera
3. Midfield Control vs. Clutch Chaos (Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, João Palhinha — 7/10 overall)
The midfield was moving like a well-oiled jugaad machine: Bruno and Bernardo with the tika-taka, Palhinha with the anchor vibes. Portugal rained 20 shots, hit the bar, and forced half a dozen saves — midfield to top that! But at the end, transition defense did a “CPU lag at 90′” and Szoboszlai made them pay. A Palhinha yellow in stoppage summed up the anxiety.
4. Center-Backs’ “One Missed Assignment” Episode (Rúben Dias & António Silva — 6/10)
For about 90% of the match, they were doing grown man things, clearing, recycling, bossing it around.
Then, one blink at a set-piece (Szalai’s early header) and one heartbreaker in transition (Szoboszlai 90+1′). Classic “clean sheet ka jugaad kab aayega?” territory. Hungary still managed 17 shots overall, mostly from those brief panic moments.
5. Starboy Spoils The Party (Dominik Szoboszlai & Hungary’s Grit — Respect Points)
Szoboszlai was supposed to be tired, but plot twist: he assisted the opener, then equalised at 90+1’ (man even admitted he was running on vibes and muscle memory). Hungary’s energy was pure “never say die”, seven shots on target, and max xG from minimum hype. Massive respect to the underdogs, plot twist delivered with Hung(a)ry energy.
Image courtesy X
Conclusion: Toh Qualification Scene Kya Hai?
Portugal is still on top, but the qualification party’s now on hold till November, drama status: guaranteed. Easy dub next time, or are we scripting another World Cup qualifying web series?