Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup with a ruthless 9–1 demolition of Armenia in Porto, delivering one of their most dominant qualifying performances even without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves each produced hat-tricks as Portugal erased any tension left from Thursday’s defeat to Ireland, which had delayed their confirmation as Group F winners.
Renato Veiga opened the scoring after Henri Avagyan pushed a Fernandes free-kick onto the post, but Armenia briefly drew level through captain Eduard Spertsyan. That was the last moment of resistance. Goncalo Ramos punished a defensive error to restore Portugal’s lead, and Neves struck twice — first with a low drive, then with a superb free-kick off the underside of the bar.
A stoppage-time penalty converted by Fernandes made it 5–1 at the break. He added another goal early in the second half before completing his hat-trick from the spot after Carlos Forbs was fouled. Neves completed his own treble with a close-range finish following Nelson Semedo’s persistence on the flank.
Substitute Francisco Conceição hammered in the ninth goal in added time. With Hungary losing 3–2 to Ireland, Portugal finished three points clear at the top of Group F, securing their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance.
