Portugal Storm to 9-1 Rout of Armenia, Secure Direct Qualification for 2026 FIFA World Cup

  In a commanding display of attacking prowess, the Portugal national football team obliterated Armenia 9-1 at Estádio do Dragão in Porto, clinching top spot in UEFA World Cup Qualifying Group F and earning automatic passage to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The emphatic victory, which saw Portugal amass 13 points from their six group matches, came just days after a shocking 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland that saw captain Cristiano Ronaldo receive his first-ever red card for the Seleção. Absent through suspension, Ronaldo watched from the stands as his teammates delivered a clinical performance, restoring national pride and setting the stage for his record-extending sixth World Cup appearance next summer.

The rout began early, with defender Renato Veiga powering in a header from a corner in the seventh minute to open the scoring. Armenia stunned the hosts with an equalizer through Eduard Spertsyan eight minutes later, but Portugal responded ferociously. Gonçalo Ramos restored the lead shortly after, followed by a stunning free-kick from João Neves into the top corner and another from the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder before halftime, making it 4-1 at the break.

The second half was a procession, as Portugal's midfield maestros Bernardo Silva and Vitinha orchestrated waves of attacks. Neves completed his hat-trick, while Ramos added two more to his tally, and substitutes Pedro Neto and Bruno Fernandes chipped in with goals of their own. The final 9-1 scoreline underscored Portugal's dominance, with 28 shots on goal and over 70% possession.

Head coach Roberto Martínez hailed the performance as "a complete team effort," emphasizing the depth that allowed the side to thrive without Ronaldo. "We showed resilience after Thursday's setback. This qualification is for every Portuguese fan—it's our seventh straight World Cup, and we're building something special," Martínez said post-match. The win also confirms Republic of Ireland's second-place finish and playoff berth, while eliminating Hungary and Armenia from contention.

As celebrations erupt across Portugal, all eyes turn to Ronaldo, who at 40 remains the nation's talisman with 143 international goals. His inclusion in the 2026 squad will mark a historic milestone, capping a career that has redefined excellence in the beautiful game.