Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup with a 9–1 victory over Armenia in Porto, despite being without suspended captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bruno Fernandes and João Neves both scored hat-tricks, while Renato Veiga, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição also found the net as Roberto Martínez’s side secured top spot in Group F.
Quick response after recent setbacks
Portugal came into their final group match under pressure after drawing in Hungary in October and suffering a shock defeat in Ireland on 14 November, a match in which Ronaldo was sent off. They wrapped up qualification at the third attempt, confirming their place in a seventh consecutive World Cup.
The hosts struck early when Fernandes’ inswinging free-kick was pushed onto the post by Henri Avagyan, allowing Veiga to head in the rebound. Armenia stunned the home side moments later, equalising through captain Eduard Spertsyan after Grant-Leon Ranos broke forward down the right.
Fernandes and Neves take charge
Portugal reacted immediately. Ramos intercepted a loose back pass and rounded the goalkeeper to restore the lead, before neat build-up play allowed Neves to drive in the third from the edge of the box.
Neves added a superb second, bending a free-kick into the top corner, before Fernandes made it 5–1 from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time after Rúben Dias was fouled.
Fernandes continued to dominate after the interval, finishing calmly for his second before completing his hat-trick with another penalty following a foul on debutant Carlos Forbs.
Neves matched the Manchester United midfielder soon after, smashing in his third after Veiga nodded a Fernandes cross into his path.
Conceição completed the scoring in stoppage time, rounding off one of Portugal’s most emphatic competitive victories.
Elsewhere in Group F, Ireland defeated Hungary 3–2 with a late winner to secure a play-off place. Troy Parrott, who scored twice against Portugal earlier in the week, netted a hat-trick in Budapest.
