Portugal thrash Armenia 9-1 to seal World Cup spot without suspended Ronaldo

Portugal stormed to a sensational 9-1 victory over Armenia in their final World Cup qualifier, securing top spot in Group F and direct qualification for the 2026 tournament, despite star captain Cristiano Ronaldo serving a suspension.

The match, played in Porto on Sunday, saw Portugal explode without their suspended talisman, who missed out after a red card in Thursday’s shock 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland. 

That defeat had delayed the Seleção’s confirmation as group winners, but Roberto Martínez’s side delivered a ruthless response, netting five times before halftime.

Bruno Fernandes and João Neves stole the show with hat-tricks apiece. The opener came early when Renato Veiga headed home after Fernandes’ curling free-kick rattled the post off goalkeeper Henri Avagyan’s save. 

Armenia equalized briefly through captain Eduard Spertsyan, who bundled in following Grant-Leon Ranos’ clever work.

Portugal regained control instantly. Gonçalo Ramos pounced on Artur Serobyan’s errant back pass to restore the lead at 2-1. Neves then dazzled with a low drive and a pinpoint free-kick that kissed the crossbar’s underside.

In stoppage time, Sergey Muradyan’s foul on Rúben Dias handed Fernandes a penalty, which he converted for 5-1.

The second half was no less dominant. Fernandes curled in a superb sixth in the 51st minute. 

Muradyan fouled substitute Carlos Forbs for another spot-kick, allowing the Manchester United midfielder to complete his treble. Neves soon matched him, tapping in from close range after Nelson Semedo rescued Fernandes’ cross.

Late chances went begging, Fernandes and Ramos both spurned gilt-edged opportunities, but substitute Francisco Conceição sealed the rout in stoppage time with a left-footed drill.

The thrashing, combined with Hungary’s 3-2 loss to Ireland in Budapest, left Portugal three points clear atop Group F. 

This marks their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance, a testament to depth beyond Ronaldo. Martínez’s men head to North America in style, unbeaten in qualifiers bar that Ireland blip.