Portugal delivered a breathtaking nine-goal spectacle against Armenia in Porto on November 17, 2025, emphatically securing their automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Spearheaded by sensational hat-tricks from midfielders João Neves and Bruno Fernandes, the victory showcased Portugal’s formidable attacking depth, even in the absence of suspended captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The 9–1 rout in their final qualifying match of the campaign sent a powerful message ahead of the global tournament.
Qualification Secured in Style
Under the guidance of manager Roberto Martinez, Portugal’s reshaped attacking line wasted no time establishing dominance. Despite an early leveler from Armenia, the hosts quickly regained control, holding possession and exploiting the full width of the pitch.
The opening goal arrived just seven minutes in via midfielder Renato Veiga, easing any initial tension. However, Armenia demonstrated resilience, equalizing in the 18th minute during their first meaningful attack. The parity was short-lived. Gonçalo Ramos restored the lead ten minutes later, setting the stage for the deluge.
The first-half belonged to Neves and Fernandes. Neves netted two rapid-fire goals, followed by a clinical strike from Fernandes, taking the halftime score to a commanding 5–1 lead. The second period saw no easing of pressure. Portugal efficiently compressed the field, utilizing intricate passing combinations around the box to carve open the Armenian defense repeatedly. Fernandes completed his hat-trick with two composed finishes, before Neves secured his own late treble. Francisco Conceição rounded off the sensational evening with a final goal in stoppage time.
Playoff Drama and Unlikely Qualifiers
While Portugal celebrated their flawless group performance, drama unfolded elsewhere across the European qualifiers. Norway emerged as a major success story in Group I, ending a 26-year absence from the World Cup finals. They achieved qualification by defeating perennial powerhouse Italy 4–1, maintaining an astonishing perfect run of eight wins from eight qualifying matches and relegating the Azzurri to the tense playoff stage. Israel also secured a comfortable 4–1 victory over Moldova.
In Group F, the Republic of Ireland clinched a crucial second-place finish away against Hungary. Troy Parrott was the hero, completing his hat-trick with a dramatic winning goal deep in added time to seal their playoff berth.
Group K saw England wrap up their campaign with textbook efficiency, defeating Albania 2–0. The Three Lions concluded a flawless qualifying tournament without conceding a single goal across eight matches. Serbia also secured a necessary comeback victory, overcoming Latvia 2–1 thanks to decisive second-half strikes from Aleksandar Katai and Aleksandar Stankovic. Meanwhile, France topped Group D, recovering from an initial setback to beat Azerbaijan 3–1, while Ukraine secured a playoff spot in the same group with a 2–0 win over Iceland.
Setting Expectations for the Finals
Portugal’s emphatic qualification, achieved with standout performances from emerging talents like João Neves and established midfield maestro Bruno Fernandes, highlights a promising generational shift taking hold within the squad. This victory—coming against a backdrop of competitive European qualification—solidifies Portugal’s status as a formidable contender for the World Cup trophy. Their blend of attacking flair and efficiency will make them a team to watch closely when the finals commence in 2026.