Roberto Martínez says the game in Hungary is "essential"

Coach Roberto Martinez said today that Tuesday's match in Hungary is "essential" in Portugal's quest to reach the 2026 World Cup and highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo's "hunger" at 40 years of age. "The qualifying stage only has six matches. The key game is always the next one. Therefore, tomorrow's match (Tuesday) is essential for us to demonstrate the same focus and attitude we had against Armenia," said Roberto Martínez at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, during the press conference previewing the second round of Group F. In Portugal's opening match in the qualifying stage last Saturday, Portugal went to Yerevan to win 5-0. The Spanish coach described Hungary as a "defensively strong team" when facing opponents who like to have the ball and are very focused on counterattacks and set pieces. "We're facing a team with clear ideas, which has played twice as many games as we have under this coach. The challenge is clear. To continue to grow and perform as we did in Armenia," he said. Roberto Martínez admitted that, with a 72-hour gap between the first two qualifying matches, he will make changes to the starting lineup, although captain Cristiano Ronaldo's continued presence in the starting eleven seems virtually assured. "He's hungry to be the best. He lives day-to-day like a young player playing for the national team for the first time. The way he dedicates himself, the freshness he has every day. He's a winner. He wants to be the best every day," the national coach emphasized.

Hungary-Portugal is scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 8:45 pm (one in Portugal), at the Puskas Arena, and will be refereed by Belgian Erik Lambrechts.

Coach Roberto Martinez said today that Tuesday's match in Hungary is "essential" in Portugal's quest to reach the 2026 World Cup and highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo's "hunger" at 40 years of age. "The qualifying stage only has six matches. The key game is always the next one. Therefore, tomorrow's match (Tuesday) is essential for us to demonstrate the same focus and attitude we had against Armenia," said Roberto Martínez at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, during the press conference previewing the second round of Group F. In Portugal's opening match in the qualifying stage last Saturday, Portugal went to Yerevan to win 5-0. The Spanish coach described Hungary as a "defensively strong team" when facing opponents who like to have the ball and are very focused on counterattacks and set pieces. "We're facing a team with clear ideas, which has played twice as many games as we have under this coach. The challenge is clear. To continue to grow and perform as we did in Armenia," he said. Roberto Martínez admitted that, with a 72-hour gap between the first two qualifying matches, he will make changes to the starting lineup, although captain Cristiano Ronaldo's continued presence in the starting eleven seems virtually assured. "He's hungry to be the best. He lives day-to-day like a young player playing for the national team for the first time. The way he dedicates himself, the freshness he has every day. He's a winner. He wants to be the best every day," the national coach emphasized.

Hungary-Portugal is scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 8:45 pm (one in Portugal), at the Puskas Arena, and will be refereed by Belgian Erik Lambrechts.

Coach Roberto Martinez said today that Tuesday's match in Hungary is "essential" in Portugal's quest to reach the 2026 World Cup and highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo's "hunger" at 40 years of age. "The qualifying stage only has six matches. The key game is always the next one. Therefore, tomorrow's match (Tuesday) is essential for us to demonstrate the same focus and attitude we had against Armenia," said Roberto Martínez at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, during the press conference previewing the second round of Group F. In Portugal's opening match in the qualifying stage last Saturday, Portugal went to Yerevan to win 5-0. The Spanish coach described Hungary as a "defensively strong team" when facing opponents who like to have the ball and are very focused on counterattacks and set pieces. "We're facing a team with clear ideas, which has played twice as many games as we have under this coach. The challenge is clear. To continue to grow and perform as we did in Armenia," he said. Roberto Martínez admitted that, with a 72-hour gap between the first two qualifying matches, he will make changes to the starting lineup, although captain Cristiano Ronaldo's continued presence in the starting eleven seems virtually assured. "He's hungry to be the best. He lives day-to-day like a young player playing for the national team for the first time. The way he dedicates himself, the freshness he has every day. He's a winner. He wants to be the best every day," the national coach emphasized.

Hungary-Portugal is scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 8:45 pm (one in Portugal), at the Puskas Arena, and will be refereed by Belgian Erik Lambrechts.