Portugal Dominates Armenia in Emotional World Cup Qualifier

Portugal commenced its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a resounding 5-0 victory over Armenia at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan. The match, held on September 6, 2025, marked a poignant occasion as it was the first international fixture for Portugal since the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident in July. Both teams observed a minute of silence before kickoff in tribute to the deceased.

World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Armenia Falls to Portugal 0–5 • MassisPost

João Félix opened the scoring for Portugal in the 10th minute with a powerful header from a João Cancelo cross. Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the lead in the 21st minute, scoring his 139th international goal by deftly converting a cross from Pedro Neto. Cancelo added a third goal shortly after, and Ronaldo struck again just after halftime with a stunning long-range shot, bringing his tally to 140 international goals. Félix rounded off the scoring with a back-heel flick in the 61st minute.

World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Led by Ronaldo and João Félix, Portugal demolishes Armenia | OneFootballBBC NewsPortugal player ratings vs Armenia: Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix lead the way as five-star Selecao pay perfect tribute to Diogo JotaRonaldo and Felix shine as Portugal thrash ArmeniaCristiano Ronaldo scores 139th and 140th goals for Portugal

Ronaldo's brace not only extended his record as the highest scorer in men's international football but also emphasized his enduring ambition to compete at the highest level, even at the age of 40. His goals in this match brought his total in World Cup qualifiers to 38, placing him just behind Carlos Ruíz of Guatemala, who holds the all-time record of 39 goals. Ronaldo's performance underlined his pivotal role in Portugal's aspirations for the upcoming World Cup, a trophy that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career.

ESPNVideo: Cristiano Ronaldo scores a brace in Portugal’s World Cup qualifier vs ArmeniaCristiano Ronaldo to make 222nd appearance for PortugalAl Jazeera (website)Cristiano Ronaldo scores 139th and 140th goals for Portugal

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez praised the team's preparation and performance, stating, "The players’ behaviour and the work they put in over the past few days were excellent." He also highlighted the emotional significance of Ronaldo's goal in the 21st minute, which coincided with Jota's jersey number, saying, "The signal to score in the 21st minute is from our Diogo." Midfielder Nuno Tavares expressed the collective sentiment, noting, "He'll always be with us, as was clear today."

Al Jazeera (website)

While the match showcased Portugal's attacking prowess, some critics pointed out Armenia's limited offensive capabilities, which made the victory appear more dominant. The Armenian team struggled to create significant threats, leading to questions about their competitiveness in the group.

Newsweek

Following this emphatic win, Portugal sits atop Group F in the European qualifiers. The team will face Hungary in their next match on September 9, 2025, as they continue their quest for a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Video: Cristiano Ronaldo scores a brace in Portugal’s World Cup qualifier vs Armenia

• “We're all very happy because it shows he's [Jota] with us, that he was there, and that moment, Ronaldo's goal, was made possible,” — Nuno Tavares, Portugal Left-back

BBC News

• “First step taken,” — Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal Captain

ESPN

• “Diogo will always be with us,” — João Neves, Portugal Midfielder

Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal thrash Armenia in World Cup qualifiers

• “It was a near-perfect performance,” — Vitinha, Portugal Midfielder

ESPN