Portugal Hit Armenia 9–1 to Seal World Cup Qualification in Ruthless Style
Portugal produced one of the most dominant qualifying performances in their history, crushing Armenia 9–1 to book their place at next year’s World Cup with a statement victory in Lisbon.
Portugal stormed into next year’s World Cup with an extraordinary 9–1 demolition of Armenia, delivering a performance that will rank among the nation’s most emphatic in modern football.
From the seventh minute, Roberto Martínez’s side looked unstoppable. Renato Veiga opened the scoring with his first international goal, reacting quickest to head home after Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick was pushed onto the post.
Despite barely threatening, Armenia briefly stunned the home crowd when Eduard Spertsyan levelled from close range after a determined run and cross by Grant-Leon Ranos. But that was as good as it got for the visitors.
Ramos and Neves Lead the Charge
Portugal immediately regained control when Gonçalo Ramos pounced on a catastrophic back pass from Artur Serobyan, rounding the keeper and restoring the lead. Moments later, João Neves took centre stage.
The Benfica midfielder delivered a brilliant brace before halftime — the second an exquisite free-kick kissed off the crossbar — to give Portugal complete command.
Fernandes Takes Over
Before the break, Bruno Fernandes joined the party, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after Rúben Dias was dragged down in the box. Portugal went into halftime 5–1 up with an xG of 2.63 to Armenia’s 0.66, a fair reflection of the gulf in class.
After the restart, Fernandes scored twice more to complete his hat-trick — once from open play after a clever link-up with Ramos, and again from the penalty spot after Muradyan brought down Carlos Forbs. It was Fernandes’ most prolific international outing in years.
Neves Hits Hat-Trick, Conceição Adds the Ninth
Portugal’s intensity never dropped, and Neves completed his own hat-trick in the 81st minute after Nelson Semedo kept a cross alive at the far post.
Substitute Francisco Conceicao sealed the nine-goal masterpiece in stoppage time, curling a composed finish into the bottom corner after being set up by João Félix.
The result not only confirmed Portugal at the top of Group F, but also signaled their return to form after recent criticism of Martínez’s side.
Armenia, who finish bottom of the group, were left completely overwhelmed by a Portugal team firing at full throttle.
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