Portugal Smash Armenia 9-1 as Fernandes Shines in World Cup Charge

Portugal stormed past Armenia 9-1, booking their spot in the 2026 World Cup without Cristiano Ronaldo. Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves both netted hat-tricks, while Veiga, Ramos, and Conceicao added to the rout. After earlier slip-ups, Portugal finally sealed qualification in a stunning finale.

What followed looked almost surreal. A 9-1 hammering that will probably sit in the Portugal vs Armenia highlights reels for years. And here is the strange part. Cristiano Ronaldo was missing because of his suspension. Still, the energy around Porto crackled. 

Renato Veiga kicked things off when a loose ball dropped kindly, and he reacted faster than anyone. Armenia responded with a clever strike of their own, and for a moment, the noise dipped. You could see a bit of annoyance on Portuguese faces. But they sharpened up instantly. They moved quicker and pressed harder to shift the momentum and dominate the conditions.

Bruno Fernandes hat-trick, the man who owned the night. Three goals, all taken with the calmness of someone solving a small puzzle. He looked like he was in his own zone. Every pass felt crisp. Every run felt measured.

Joao Neves joined the party too with a stunning double. One free-kick flew into the top corner so sweetly that gasps rippled through the stands. Goncalo Ramos chipped in. Francisco Conceicao wrapped up the ninth. It felt like every attack was carving Armenia apart. To be fair, the visitors looked rattled. They tried to regroup, but each wave of pressure broke them again.

Roberto Martinez’s side booked their place with no questions asked. In the dressing room, the mood said it all. Smiles, sighs of relief, and a little disbelief lingered; nobody expected it to be this convincing.

The Portugal vs Armenia highlights clip will probably trend all week. And why wouldn’t it? Hat-tricks, long-range screamers, flashing counterattacks. Everything that makes fans jump from their seats.

As the squad walked off the pitch, Fernandes lifted his arms toward the crowd. A simple gesture sent a clear message: Portugal is back in rhythm. And with their ticket to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers journey complete, the real countdown begins. For more updates, check our latest news section.