In a remarkable display of attacking prowess, Portugal stormed past Armenia 9-1 in a World Cup qualifying match in Porto, ensuring their ninth appearance at football’s biggest stage in 2026. The match began at a furious pace, with Bruno Fernandes delivering a perfectly weighted free-kick that set up Renato Veiga’s opening goal inside seven minutes.
Armenia, undeterred, struck back through captain Eduard Spertsyan just four minutes later, briefly bringing the stadium to a standstill. However, the visitors’ defensive naivety proved costly. Without Cristiano Ronaldo, suspended after a red card in the previous fixture against Ireland, Portugal could have struggled—but Fernandes immediately stepped into the breach, commanding the midfield and driving attacks with authority.
Gonçalo Ramos capitalised on a misjudged Armenian backpass to restore Portugal’s lead, while João Neves’s thunderous strike from outside the box and a free-kick showcased his class. By the interval, Portugal were 5-1 up, Fernandes having converted a penalty after a foul on Rúben Dias.
The second half offered more of the same. Fernandes completed his hat-trick with a second penalty, Ramos scored again, Neves netted Portugal’s eighth, and Conceição rounded off the scoring in injury time. Meanwhile, in a dramatic turn in another Group F game, Ireland lost 3-2 to Hungary, confirming Portugal’s top spot.
With four wins from six matches and 13 points in total, Portugal are now guaranteed direct qualification. This emphatic victory marks their second-largest international win, demonstrating that even without Ronaldo, the squad possesses creativity, firepower, and unrelenting energy. Portugal have not just won—they have made a statement: they are a force to be reckoned with at the 2026 World Cup.