Porto
Portugal stormed into the 2026 World Cup with an emphatic 9–1 victory over Armenia, delivering one of their most dominant qualifying performances despite the absence of suspended captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Hat-tricks from Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves powered Roberto Martinez’s side to the top of Group F and into their seventh consecutive World Cup finals.
After a draw against Hungary and a shock defeat to Ireland earlier in the window, Portugal needed a convincing response and delivered immediately at the Estádio do Dragão. Renato Veiga opened the scoring in the seventh minute, heading in after Armenia goalkeeper Henri Avagyan parried Fernandes’s curling free-kick onto the post. Armenia equalised moments later through captain Eduard Spertsyan, but the visitors’ joy was short-lived as Portugal shifted gears.
Goncalo Ramos intercepted a back pass and restored the lead before Neves smashed home Portugal’s third from the edge of the box. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder doubled his tally with a stunning free-kick into the top corner as Portugal surged toward an insurmountable advantage. Fernandes added a penalty in first-half stoppage time, sending Portugal into the break 5–1 ahead.
The Manchester United playmaker continued his orchestration in the second half, scoring twice more to complete his hat-trick—his 28th international goal making him Portugal’s sixth-highest scorer of all time. Neves followed suit, completing his own treble after Veiga cushioned a header into his path. Substitute Francisco Conceição rounded off the scoring in stoppage time with Portugal’s ninth.
Martinez praised his team’s response after recent setbacks, saying, “Now we can truly dream about the World Cup.” Ronaldo celebrated qualification from afar, posting, “We’re at the World Cup!” on social media. The striker could still miss the World Cup opener depending on FIFA’s ruling on his suspension.
In the group’s other match, Ireland stunned Hungary 3–2 to clinch a play-off spot, with Troy Parrott scoring a hat-trick.
