Portugal Demolishes Armenia 9-1 in World Cup Qualifying Rout

Portugal delivered a stunning performance in their final 2026 World Cup qualifier. The match ended in a staggering 9-1 victory over Armenia at the Estadio do Dragao. The team secured their place at the top of Group F with this emphatic win. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo was absent due to a suspension.

The home side showed no signs of missing their iconic leader. According to Reuters, the offensive display was one of the most dominant of the entire European qualifying campaign. The victory sends a powerful message to their future World Cup opponents.

A First-Half Goal Onslaught

Portugal took control of the match from the very beginning. Renato Veiga opened the scoring with a header in the 7th minute. Armenia, however, managed to stun the home crowd with an equalizer from Eduard Spertsyan just over ten minutes later.

The Armenian hope was short-lived. Portugal responded with a relentless series of goals. Goncalo Ramos, Joao Neves, and Bruno Fernandes all found the net before halftime. The first half ended with a commanding 5-1 lead for the Portuguese side.

Depth and Dominance on Full Display

The second half continued in the same fashion. Bruno Fernandes added two more goals to complete his hat-trick. Joao Neves also secured his own trio of goals with a well-taken finish. Sergio Conceicao put the final touch on the match in stoppage time.

The scoreline highlighted the immense depth of the Portuguese squad. Even without Ronaldo, the team’s attacking machinery operated with ruthless efficiency. The performance demonstrated their readiness for the global stage next year.

Portugal’s commanding 9-1 victory not only seals their World Cup qualification but also establishes them as a formidable force. The team’s ability to excel without their star captain underscores a powerful collective strength that will be crucial in the 2026 tournament.

Info at your fingertips

Who scored for Portugal in the 9-1 win?

Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes each scored hat-tricks. Renato Veiga, Goncalo Ramos, and Sergio Conceicao also added goals in the dominant victory.

Why did Cristiano Ronaldo miss the match?

Cristiano Ronaldo was suspended for the qualifier. He received a red card in the previous match against Ireland.

Did Armenia score any goals?

Yes, Armenia scored a single goal. Eduard Spertsyan found the net in the 18th minute to briefly level the score at 1-1.

What does this result mean for Portugal?

The win confirms Portugal finished top of their qualifying group. They have officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Where was the match played?

The match was held at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal. The home crowd witnessed a historic performance from their national team.

Trusted Sources

Reuters, Associated Press, BBC Sport