Portugal secured a commanding 6-1 victory over Armenia at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, officially qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, despite the absence of star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who was suspended. This match, part of the final round of Group 6 in the UEFA qualifiers, showcased the strength of the Portuguese team under coach Roberto Martínez.
The home side wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Renato Veiga scoring the opener just seven minutes into the match. However, Armenia gave a fight, leveling the score at 1-1 through Eduard Spertsyan at the 18-minute mark, briefly igniting hopes for a competitive encounter.
Portugal quickly regained control, with Gonzalo Ramos netting a goal at the 28th minute, followed shortly by Joao Neves’ strike at the 31st, further solidifying their path to victory. Before the first half concluded, Joao Neves extended the lead to 4-1 with a stunning free-kick goal at the 41st minute. Bruno Fernandes added to the tally with a penalty right before the halftime whistle, leaving the score at 5-1 going into the break.
The second half continued in a similar fashion, with Bruno Fernandes scoring again just six minutes in, bringing the score to 6-1 after an impressive assist from Gonzalo Ramos.
With this victory, Portugal finishes at the top of Group F with 13 points from 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 17 goals and conceding 7 throughout the qualifying campaign. Meanwhile, Hungary and Ireland are locked in a battle for second place, as Hungary edged a 2-1 victory over Ireland in Budapest, securing a spot in the playoff round.
Portugal’s impressive performance not only highlights their footballing prowess but also sets a positive tone as they look forward to the challenges of the upcoming World Cup. The team’s ability to perform without key players like Ronaldo showcases their depth and determination, signaling a promising future for Portuguese football on the international stage.