Portugal secured direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dominant 9-1 victory over Armenia in their final Group F qualifier on November 16, 2025. Hat-tricks from Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves powered the win at Estádio do Dragão in Porto, despite Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension. The result ensures Portugal tops the group and advances to a record-extending seventh consecutive tournament appearance.
Match Overview
Portugal delivered a clinical performance to book their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thrashing Armenia 9-1 in Porto. The hosts, needing a win after a 2-0 defeat to Ireland where Ronaldo received a straight red card, showed no mercy without their captain. Armenia, already eliminated with one win and five defeats in the group, managed only an early equalizer before crumbling.
Key Moments
- 7': Renato Veiga headed in the opener from a rebound after Armenia's Henri Avagyan tipped Bruno Fernandes' shot onto the post.
- 18': Eduard Spertsyan leveled for Armenia with a tap-in from Grant-Leon Ranos' cross.
- 28': Gonçalo Ramos restored the lead, capitalizing on Artur Serobyan's short back-pass to beat Avagyan.
- 30': Joao Neves rifled home from Fernandes' lay-off to make it 3-1.
- 39': Neves curled in a stunning free-kick from distance, hitting the crossbar before going in.
- 45+1': Fernandes converted a penalty after Karen Muradyan fouled in the box, extending the lead to 5-1 at halftime.
In the second half, Fernandes added two more goals, including another penalty in the 72nd minute for his hat-trick. Neves completed his treble in the 81st minute, and Francisco Conceição sealed the rout with a long-range strike in the 92nd.
Portugal finished Group F with a perfect response to their recent stumbles, including a 2-2 draw against Hungary. Armenia ended bottom, scoring just their third goal of the campaign. Ronaldo, suspended for this match, is set for a potential sixth World Cup but faces possible further penalties from his red card.
Team Lineups
Portugal starting XI: Diogo Costa; Nelson Semedo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Joao Cancelo; Bernardo Silva, Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha; Rafael Leao, Gonçalo Ramos.
Armenia starting XI: Henri Avagyan; Erik Piloyan, Sergey Muradyan, Styopa Mkrtchyan, Nayair Tiknizyan; Narek Aghasaryan, Karen Muradyan, Eduard Spertsyan, Kamo Hovhannisyan; Grant-Leon Ranos, Artur Serobyan.