By Ireti Asemota.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension? No sweat for Portugal. The Seleção demolished Armenia 9-1 on Sunday at Estádio do Dragão, clinching top spot in UEFA Group F and direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Bruno Fernandes and João Neves each bagged hat-tricks in a virtuoso display, erasing midweek’s shock 2-1 loss to Ireland—and Ronaldo’s red card.
Coach Roberto Martínez’s side dominated with 72% possession and 27 shots, restoring pride after Ronaldo’s dismissal. Armenia (#104 FIFA) grabbed a shock equalizer but crumbled under the onslaught.
Key Moments:
- 7′: Fernandes’ free-kick clips the post; Renato Veiga heads in 1-0.
- 18′: Eduard Spertsyan bundles home 1-1 after Semedo’s lapse.
- 23′: Minute’s applause for late Diogo Jota; Gonçalo Ramos intercepts for 2-1.
- 30′: Neves rifles from 18 yards – 3-1.
- 41′: Neves curls a 25-yard free-kick off the bar – 4-1.
- 45+2′: Ruben Dias wins pen; Fernandes slots 5-1.
- 51′: Ramos assists Fernandes’ first-time finish – 6-1.
- 67′: Sub Carlos Forbs wins pen; Fernandes completes hat-trick – 7-1.
- 81′: Neves overheads his third – 8-1.
- 90+3′: Francisco Conceição taps in – 9-1.
Portugal ends with 13 points; Hungary (2nd) heads to playoffs.
Player Ratings (GOAL Style):
- Diogo Costa (GK, 6/10): Barely touched; fished out one.
- Nelson Semedo (RB, 6/10): At fault for Armenia’s goal.
- Ruben Dias (CB, 7/10): Won pen, solid anchor.
- Renato Veiga (CB, 7/10): Early header; poised.
- João Cancelo (LB, 5/10): Shaky on equalizer; rash tackles.
- Vitinha (CM, 8/10): PSG maestro dictated tempo.
- João Neves (CM, 10/10): Hat-trick masterpiece – strike, free-kick, overhead. Benfica teen shines.
- Bruno Fernandes (AM, 9/10): Hat-trick (2 pens, volley); ended intl drought. Man Utd skipper electric.
- Bernardo Silva (RW, 6/10): Linked play; captain’s armband.
- Gonçalo Ramos (ST, 8/10): Goal + assist; sharp poacher.
- Rafael Leão (LW, 6/10): Pace terrorized but few chances.
- Subs: Forbs (7/10, pen win); Conceição (8/10, goal); Félix (5/10, quiet 50th cap).
- Martínez (7/10): Subs sparked; rued early slip but reveled in rout.
X erupts: “No CR7, no problem – depth GOAT!” (@blitz_afc, 1.1K likes). “Neves & Bruno: Future legends” (@Jamesclassic599). Fans hail “statement win” ahead of finals.
Portugal’s eighth straight WC appearance – history awaits in ’26.
#PortugalWC2026 #FernandesHatTrick #NevesMagic #PORARM #SelecaoQualified
