JAKARTA - The absence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo brought no problems for Portugal. Midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who replaced Ronaldo and took a penalty, led Portugal to a resounding 9-1 victory over weak Armenia in the 2026 World Cup qualifying Group F match at the Do Dragao Stadium on Sunday, November 16, 2025, evening WIB. The victory qualified Portugal for the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Armenia, sitting bottom of Group F, was the target of Portugal's wrath. The loss of Ronaldo, who received a red card in Portugal's 2-0 loss to Ireland, did not deter them. Although Portugal's progress to the 2026 World Cup was delayed, Roberto Martinez's team remained undeterred.
Conversely, Portugal, playing at home, showed no mercy to Armenia. Diogo Costa did concede a goal when the visitors equalized at 1-1. However, they were powerless against the Selecao das Quinas' front-line attack, conceding eight more goals.
Fernandes scored a hat trick, two of which came from the penalty spot. Fernandes' success was matched by Paris Saint-Germain player Joao Neves, who also scored three goals, leading Portugal to top the group with 18 points.
A three-point lead over Ireland, who beat Hungary 3-2, secured Portugal's seventh consecutive World Cup finals. Ireland finished second and will face a playoff to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup.
In a one-sided match, Portugal completely dominated from the first minute. However, it was the home side's defenders who opened the scoring.
Just seven minutes into the match, defender Renato Veiga found the back of the net against Armenia. Fernandes' free kick from outside the penalty area was saved by goalkeeper Henri Avagyan.
However, the ball hit the post, rebounding and Veiga headed home.
After taking a 1-0 lead, Portugal were shocked by Armenia's equalizer. They needed just 11 minutes to equalize when captain Eduard Spertsyan met Grant-Leon Janos' cross.
But Portugal quickly rallied. PSG striker Goncalo Ramos intercepted a back pass and then rounded goalkeeper Avagyan before slotting home an empty net in the 28th minute. Just two minutes later, Neves finished off Fernandes' assist to make it 3-1.
Portugal was becoming increasingly unstoppable. Shortly after, Neves scored his second goal with a spectacular free kick that left the goalkeeper speechless as the ball sailed into the top corner.
As the match entered injury time, Fernandes added to his tally from the penalty spot. The referee pointed to the spot after a foul on Ruben Dias.
The Manchester United captain converted the penalty to close out the first half with a 5-1 lead.
That scoreline had effectively put Armenia to the sword. But Portugal wasn't satisfied. Fernandes scored a brace after finishing off Ramos' perfect pass in the 52nd minute.
Fernandes completed his hat trick from the penalty spot after debuting substitute Carlos Forbs was brought down in the box. Fernandes' penalty goal came in the 72nd minute, making the score 7-1.
Two more goals were scored by Neves and Francisco Conceicao. Neves scored a hat trick in the 81st minute. Conceicao capped Portugal's nine-goal rout in injury time. The hosts ended the match with a 9-1 victory.
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