Portugal Secures World Cup Berth with 9-1 Victory Over Armenia, Ronaldo Suspended

Bruno Fernandes spearheaded Portugal's remarkable 9-1 victory over Armenia on Sunday, marking the final day of the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in North America.

Despite the absence of star player Cristiano Ronaldo due to suspension, Fernandes excelled by scoring a hat-trick, including two penalties. João Neves also contributed significantly with another hat-trick, showcasing the strength of Portugal's emerging talent in Ronaldo's absence.

The match, held at the "Dragão" Stadium in Porto, saw Portugal dominate from the outset. Renato Veiga opened the scoring in the 7th minute, followed by Gonçalo Ramos in the 28th minute. The goals continued with contributions from Neves, Fernandes, and Conceição, while Edouard Spertsyan netted Armenia's lone goal in the 18th minute.

Ronaldo's suspension followed his expulsion in the previous match against Ireland, marking the first red card of his international career, which spans 226 matches.

This victory positions Portugal at the top of Group 6, securing their qualification for the World Cup for the ninth time in history.