Evening all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup qualification coverage continues from Lisbon as Portugal welcome Hungary in Group B. Just two points currently separate second-place Portugal from third-place Hungary in this particular section, and the visitors will be eyeing their first ever win over the Portuguese tonight. Stay tuned for what should be an open and enthralling contest!

Tonight will be the 12th time that Portugal and Hungary have met in an international fixture, and as mentioned above, Hungary are yet to win. Seven of the 11 matches have ended in Portugal wins, with the further four finishing level. It is a rivalry that dates back to 1926, when the two nations played out a 3-3 draw in an international friendly. Cannot say I remember it too well though.

Portugal won 1-0 away and 3-0 at home when they faced Hungary during qualification for the 2010 World Cup, but their most recent fixture occurred in the European Championships last summer. It was a pulsating clash as well, with the points were shared in a 3-3 draw. That result saw Hungary top the section and Portugal just about squeeze through to the knockout stage in third spot, although it was Fernando Santos's side that incredibly went on to win the competition after beating hosts France in the final.

We are almost a year down from that 3-3 draw, but it would be nice to see something similar in Lisbon tonight. Right, before we go any further, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...

Cristiano Ronaldo captains Portugal once again, while there is just a sixth international appearance for Porto striker Andre Silva, who has netted four times in his first five fixtures for Fernando Santos's team. Elsewhere, Ricardo Quaresma and Joao Mario are selected in the home side's XI, in addition to Jose Fonte, who has kept his spot at the heart of the Portugal defence alongside Real Madrid's Pepe. Joao Mario, William Carvalho and Andre Gomes make up Portugal's three-man midfield in Lisbon.

As for Hungary, who are again captained by 37-year-old Zoltan Gera on what will be his 97th cap, Adam Gyurcso and Balazs Dzsudzsak are given attacking roles in support of lone Hoffenheim striker Adam Szalai. There is also an international debut for Videoton defender Paulo Vinicius, while RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gluacsi will win just his eighth international cap between the sticks.

So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Lisbon. I shall speak about Hungary a little bit later, but let's start with the hosts Portugal. As it stands, Santos's side are second in Group B on nine points – six points behind the section leaders Switzerland, who recorded a 1-0 win over Latvia earlier tonight.

Switzerland have actually now won all five of their qualification fixtures to date, placing a lot of pressure on Portugal to keep picking up three points. Indeed, Portugal actually suffered a 2-0 defeat in Switzerland in their first group match last September, but they recovered in style – winning each of their next three and scoring 16 goals in the process to move into second.

Indeed, the reigning European champions put six unanswered goals past Andorra on October 7, before winning 6-0 away to the Faroe Islands three days later. Santos's side were also victorious last time out as they recorded a 4-1 victory at home to Latvia. The Iberian nation have been impressive in their last three fixtures, but they have to keep winning to stay in touch with Switzerland.

In terms of what is ahead for Portugal, they will welcome Sweden for an international friendly next Tuesday, before returning to competitive action with a trip to Latvia in June. They also have the 2017 Confederations Cup to play this summer, and have been drawn into Group A alongside the hosts Russia, New Zealand and Mexico. Plenty to think about for Portugal at the moment.

Portugal actually failed to qualify for a World Cup between 1990 and 1998, and they went out in the group stage of the 2002 competition. The 2006 World Cup brought a fourth-place finish for the Iberian nation, but they have been eliminated in the last-16 and group stage in each of their last two appearances in the finals of a World Cup. Improvement is certainly needed in the 2018 competition.

Hungary, meanwhile, have failed to qualify for the finals of a World Cup since 1986, when they went out in the group stage. They have famously finished as runners-up on two separate occasions (1938, 1954), but it has been a real struggle in recent competitions. They will be boosted, however, after impressing in Euro 2016 last summer - topping their group ahead of third-place Portugal.

Indeed, in their first European Championship since finishing fourth in 1972, Hungary made the round of 16 in France last summer. As mentioned, they actually topped their group ahead of Iceland and Portugal, but suffered a 4-0 defeat to an impressive Belgium in the round of 16. It was certainly a successful tournament though and they are currently sitting in a decent position in Group B.

Hungary opened their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign with a 0-0 draw away to the Faroe Islands last September, before suffering a 3-2 defeat at home to group leaders Switzerland. They have won their last two without conceding, however, following a 2-0 win in Latvia with a 4-0 home success over Andorra last time out. Portugal will need to be in strong form to win tonight.

PREDICTION! I fancy Portugal to win tonight, but Hungary are sure to provide difficult opposition. It is not quite win-or-bust for Portugal in terms of topping the group, but Switzerland are showing no signs of slowing down after putting another victory on the board against Latvia earlier tonight.

Zoltan Gera - yes, that one - starts again for Hungary. The midfielder is still going strong at the ripe age of 37 and now represents Ferencvarosi in his home country. West Bromwich Albion and Fulham supporters will remember him fondly, and tonight is his 97th international appearance. He is pleased...

Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of the first period. Once the national anthems have taken place, pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and flags have been exchanged, we will be just about ready to get this 2018 World Cup qualifier underway!

KICKOFF! Portugal kick things off on home soil...

... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. The home supporters are expecting their team to put on a performance, but Hungary are also well represented in the stands. It has been an open start to proceedings in Lisbon tonight.

Portugal will dominate the ball tonight, but Hungary have a lot of movement in the final third, and the visitors will be confident of threatening on the counter-attack. Szalai, as expected, is playing as the central striker for Hungary, with Dzsudzsak operating on the left of the midfield.

Quite a scrappy start to this match as the referee is forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Hungary will be happy to stop the play when necessary, especially as Portugal start to find their rhythm in the final third. The playing surface inside this stadium is absolutely brilliant.

So, eight minutes on the clock, and we are still waiting for the game's first shot on target. Portugal are threatening to get going as they pass and probe in central positions, but Hungary have been nice and compact thus far. Interesting tactical battle between two different formations here.

Ronaldo hits one from distance, but his effort was always wide of the post.

Ronaldo is seeing more and more of the ball here as the Portugal captain starts to run at this Hungarian defence. The visitors continue to adopt a defensive shape, although they are pressing players forward when they have the chance to counter-attack. It is brewing along nicely as Cedric places one into the arms of Gulasci. I would be astounded if there were not goals in this match.

Pass, pass, pass from Portugal as they look to open things up. The home side force a free kick in a dangerous position as Vinicius chops Andre Silva to the ground with a very late challenge...

... Ronaldo's free kick deflects off the wall and goes wide of the Hungarian post.

It must be said that the opening 15 minutes of this Group B clash has flown past. After a bitty start, the referee is letting things flow and Portugal are really finding their passing range in the final third.

Oh my word, we are seeing the Mexican wave already, which is not great news. Come on, this has been a pretty good opening 17 minutes! I do not want to see that until the latter stages please.

Just a reminder that Switzerland won their fifth straight Group B clash earlier tonight, which has left them top of the section on 15 points. Portugal are six points off the leaders, but this is their game in hand. The home side continue to commit their two full-backs forward in Lisbon.

Quaresma is full of beans at the moment as the Turkey-based attacker ducks and dives in the final third of the field. The number 20 delivers a dangerous cross towards the near post as Andre Silva waits, but Kadar is on hand to clear, and the resulting corner is claimed by the Hungarian stopper.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Portugal to make the breakthrough as Quaresma finds the head of Ronaldo with a super cross, but the attacker's effort is wide of the post!

Nagy breaks into the Portugal box after a mazy run down the right, but Cedric is on hand to make a smart challenge. The visitors are a threat when they manage to break forward in Lisbon.

Still goalless with 26 minutes on the clock, but it is an open and entertaining match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Portugal have had the better chances, although Hungary are certainly causing some problems, especially when Dzsudzsak has possession.

Ronaldo hits another one from distance, but Nagy is on hand to make a smart block. Hungary break down the other end with Bese, who looks for Szalai, but Pepe wins a very strong header.

Half-chance for Szalai as the Hungarian striker meets a deep cross from Bese, but his volley was always moving over the crossbar. Another sign of a threat from the away side tonight though.

Breakthrough! Portugal make the breakthrough in the 31st minute of this match as Guerreiro delivers a wonderful cross towards the far post and Andre Silva is on hand to tap home!

Much, much better from Portugal in the last few minutes as they continue to move the ball in the final third of the field. Another opportunity arrives when Guerreiro finds Quaresma in a dangerous position, but the number 20 cannot find a teammate with a cross and the danger is cleared.

Portugal double their lead in the 36th minute as Ronaldo smashes one into the bottom corner after a wonderful flick from Andre Silva. I am not sure if the goalkeeper might have done better though!

Hungary are coming under some serious pressure here as Quaresma delivers another dangerous cross from a wide position, and Kadar just about manages to make the clearance. Ronaldo is absolutely full of beans, meanwhile, as he shows the supporters his full display of tricks and flicks.

Mario delivers a cute pass into Ronaldo, but his bicycle-kick is comfortable for Gulacsi.

Hungary are doing their best to threaten on the counter-attack, but it is just not falling for the away side in the final third as Patricio comes out to collect once again under pressure from Gera.

Andre Silva hits one wide of the post from outside the box.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Portugal leading Hungary 2-0 courtesy of goals from Andre Silva and Ronaldo. The away side have had bits and pieces in the final third, but Portugal are well on their way to another three points as they close on Group B leaders Switzerland.

STATISTICS! Portugal have shaded the possession with 57%, while they have managed nine attempts - four of which were on target. Hungary, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with any of their three first-half attempts. No bookings to report in what has been a fairly timid first period.

BENCH WATCH! The likes of Pizzi, Eder, Martins, Sanches and Bernardo Silva are on a very talented Portugal bench tonight, and we should see at least two of those in the second period. Hungary boss Storck, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Eppel, Holman, Pinter, Priskin and Sallai.

RESTART! Hungary resume the action in Lisbon...

... HUNGARY SUB! Lovrencsics has replaced Lang at the interval.

Decent possession for Hungary in the early stages of the second period, but they are struggling to undo this Portugal defence, which is being marshalled by Pepe. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in tonight's match, especially as Hungary start to press players forward.

Bese delivers a dangerous cross into the Portugal box, but Patricio is on hand to collect. Decent football from the visitors as they continue to find space in the final third of the field here.

Quaresma looks to find the head of Ronaldo with a dangerous cross from the right, but Hungary's goalkeeper is on hand to claim. End-to-end football at the start of this second period as both teams continue to commit numbers on the counter-attack, but it remains 2-0 Portugal in Lisbon.

Mario finds space outside the Hungary box, before sending the ball into the stands.

Portugal are very much in control of proceedings in Lisbon, but one goal for Hungary would certainly spice things up. The visitors are not out of this Group B contest despite the scoreline.

Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining and it has been a decent spell for Portugal in the last couple of minutes after forcing a couple of corners in quick succession. Pepe comes close to meeting a corner from Guerreiro, but Hungary survive a dangerous moment inside their box.

William Carvalho has been very good in the middle of the Portugal midfield tonight, with the Sporting Lisbon anchorman continuing to regain possession for his team. Hungary are doing their best to break forward, but William has closed the door on more than one occasion.

BOOKING! Dzsudzsak (Hungary) is booked for a foul on Pepe.

Little over 25 minutes of the second period remaining and while Hungary are enjoying more of the ball, they are finding it very difficult to threaten Patricio's goal. Still 2-0 to the home side here.

Portugal score their third of the night in the 65th minute as Ronaldo smashes a long-range free kick into the bottom corner. It is classic Ronaldo, and that is game, set and match here.

PORTUGAL SUB! Bernardo Silva replaces Andre Silva for Portugal.

Patricio saves from Bese after a long-range effort from the number 21.

HUNGARY SUB! Kalmar replaces Gyurcso for the away side.

Ronaldo sets up another half-chance for Portugal after chipping the ball towards the far post, but Kadar is on hand to clear ahead of Quaresma. Still a lot of football left to be played tonight.

Andre Gomes tries his luck from distance, but his effort was always too high.

Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and Portugal are very, very comfortable as they close on another three points. It will keep them within touching distance of Switzerland.

Decent possession for Hungary in the last few minutes, but they are really struggling to threaten Portugal's goal. That has been the story of their night - just not enough in the final third of the field.

BOOKING! Gera (Hungary) is booked for a late challenge on Mario.

Portugal continue to search for more goals as Ronaldo demands possession in the final third, but Hungary are very deep at the moment as they look to keep chances to a minimum. Hungary are going to remain in third position in the table, but they are now eight points off the top of Group B.

Pass, pass, pass from Portugal as they keep hold of the ball in the final third.

BOOKING! Kadar (Hungary) is booked for a late challenge on Cedric.

PORTUGAL SUB! Moutinho replaces Mario.

CHANCE! Quaresma finds the head of Bernardo Silva with a wonderful cross from a wide position, but his effort is just over the crossbar. Super from Quaresma once again!

HUNGARY SUB! Pinter replaces Gera for the visitors.

PORTUGAL SUB! Pizzi replaces Andre Gomes for the home side.

Decent effort from Bese as Hungary look to strike late on, but the number 21's strike was always rising over the Portugal crossbar. I should not think that there will be too much added time here.

Another half-chance for Hungary, but Pinter's effort is over the crossbar.

We are into the first of two additional minutes in Lisbon.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Portugal running out 3-0 winners over Hungary in Lisbon to move within three points of Group B leaders Switzerland. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live international coverage once again! Until next time!