Portugal kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign in emphatic style by dismantling Armenia 5-0 on the road. The commanding performance was anchored by dazzling doubles from both Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, alongside a goal from João Cancelo, as the visitors stamped their authority in Group F from the first whistle.
The scoring began early in the 10th minute when Félix capitalised on a pinpoint cross from Cancelo, sending a powerful header past the Armenian goalkeeper to get Portugal off the mark. Just over ten minutes later, Ronaldo struck with his 139th international goal, showing he still commands the game with a composed finish from close range.
Portugal continued to press, and Cancelo added their third on 32 minutes—finishing from Félix’s cut-back to make it 3 0 at the break. The second half brought even more magic: immediately after the restart, Ronaldo unleashed a thunderous volley from distance that rippled into the roof of the net, cementing his status as an enduring goal machine.
Félix wrapped up the rout just past the hour mark with a clever back-heel flick into the net after a blocked attempt, nailing down a perfect night for both him and his teammate Ronaldo. Despite Armenia’s goalkeeper Henri Avagyan pulling off a couple of late saves, the final whistle signalled Portugal’s dominant 5 0 victory.
Beyond the statistics and slick finishes, the match carried emotional weight too. Portugal marked the passing of teammate Diogo Jota with a minute of silence and heartfelt tributes before kick-off. Ronaldo’s contribution was particularly poignant as he found the net in the 21st minute—a symbolic tribute to his late friend, whose number he honored on the field.
This resounding win not only reflects Portugal’s offensive firepower but also sets a tone for their next qualifiers. The Group F lineup includes Hungary and the Republic of Ireland—teams that won’t make it easy. With this statement result, Portugal have laid down an early marker.
All in all, it was a night of both brilliance and tribute—a confident European champion launching their World Cup journey with a dazzling performance. Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of the rest of Group F, player ratings, or a preview of the next clash.
