With a hattrick from Bruno and Neves, Portugal finally seal their 2026 World Cup spot with a jaw-dropping 9-1 win over Armenia

With Portugal reaching their seventh consecutive World Cup, we end our live coverage of the game against Armenia, in a historic 9-1 victory without Cristiano Ronaldo. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of the qualifiers!

With an impressive victory 9-1, Portugal have secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, beating Armenia with an scoring prowess.

Portugal may have been dominating the game, but they decided not to give up and kept pressing. After recovering the ball in Armenia's area, Joao Felix found Francisco Conceição, who finished with class to score the national team's ninth goal.

After starting the play in Armenia's area, Joao Neves recovered the ball and found Bruno Fernandes. Looking for a teammate in the area, the midfielder crossed the ball to Renato Veiga, who failed to control it. However, Joao Neves got hold of the ball again, scoring his long-awaited hat trick to put his team's eighth goal on the board.

With an impressive defeat 8-1 against Portugal, Armenia decided to make some changes in the lineup. Coach Eghishe Melikyan decided to take off Karen Muradyan to field Artem Bandikyan.

In a corner kick received, Bruno Fernandes was selected to kick, chasing another teammate in the area. Nonetheless, the veteran midfielder surprised everyone trying an olimpic goal that was saved Henri Avagyan.

Even if Joao Neves held the chance to have a hattrick, Bruno Fernandes decided to take the penalty kick vs. Armenia. With an impressive expertise, the Portuguese veteran scored his brace in the key game for his national team in the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

After a foul from Sergey Muradya over Carlos Forbs, Portugal receive the second penalty kick in the game vs Armenia.

With the victory at the helm, Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez decided to subbed off Vitinha, getting Joao Felix in the field, to refresh the lineup.

Although the game started fairly evenly, Portugal's impressive offensive power tipped the balance, leaving Armenia relegated to a minor role. With high pressure and dominance from Vitinha and Joao Neves, Roberto Martinez's team controlled the game, leaving their opponents with no offensive chances.

Following a posession in the midfield from Bruno Fernandes, he found Francisco Conceição running in the wing. With an impressive ability, he passed the ball and the young star control and got into the area. Nonetheless, his shot was intercepted by the goalkeeper Henri Avagyan.

Following their sixth goal, Portugal decided to rest some of their stars. Coach Roberto Martinez dediced to take off Rafael Leao and Bernardo Silva, to field Carlos Forbs and Francisco Conceição.

Portugal score their sixth goal on today's game vs Armenia. After starting the action in midfield, he found Goncalo Ramos unmarked at the edge of the box. Instead of shooting, the striker decided to hold off and pass the ball back to Bruno to score his second goal, slotting it past goalkeeper Henri Avagyan, who had had a rather difficult game.

While Portugal keep the same lineup in the second half, Armenia decided to make some important substitutions Artur Serobyan and Narek Aghasaryan are taken off  with Edgar Sevikyan and Zhirayr Shaghoyan coming into the game.

The second half of the game Portugal (5) vs. Armenia (1) is underway!

Despite the absentees, Portugal are dominating the game with an impressive 5-1 vs. Armenia. Without Cristiano, Renato Veiga,  Goncalo Ramos, a brace from Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes take the scoring lead.

Amidst discussions among the Armenian players, Bruno Fernandes decided to take the lead and take the penalty kick. Like a true expert, the midfielder paused and shot to the right side of goalkeeper Henri Avagyan, scoring Portugal's fifth goal.

Due to a foul by Karen Muradyan on Ruben Dias, Portugal are awarded a penalty kick, that Bruno Fernandes will take. 

After a dubious handball by Narek Aghasaryan on the edge of the box, Portugal was awarded a free kick. Surprisingly, Joao Neves took the kick, leaving Bruno out, scoring an impressive goal over the wall, leaving goalkeeper Henri Avagyan with no chance.

Portugal's fourth goal is coming. With a deep pass from Bruno Fernandes, the midfielder found Bernardo Silva breaking through the Armenian defense. However, Bernardo failed to control the ball, sending it toward the opposing goalkeeper.

Just two minutes after scoring the second goal, Portugal quickly scored the third goal to widen the gap on the scoreboard. With Semedo's high pressure, Armenia made another mistake in clearing the ball, which was recovered by the Portuguese full-back. After finding Vitinha, the midfielder found Joao Neves at the edge of the box to score the third goal.

Portugal's high pressure is having a big effect. Artur Serobyan, in the defensive zone, made a backward pass, which was efficiently intercepted by Goncalo Ramos. With this, the Portuguese star managed to score the second goal of the game with efficiency.

Although the game appears to be quite competitive and the situation is not favorable for Portugal, the fans decided to pay tribute to Diogo Jota. In the 21st minute, the entire stadium rose from their seats to applaud the memory of the Portuguese player following his passing.

Coach Roberto Martinez's joy was short-lived. After an impressive run by Ranos, beating Joao Cancelo on the wing, he managed to send in a cross that no Portuguese defender was able to intercept. Captain Eduard Spertsyan seized the opportunity and scored, beating Diogo Costa to tie the game.

After a dubious foul on Joao Cancelo in the corner of the box, Portugal were awarded a free kick, which Bruno Fernandes took. Taking advantage of the rebound off the Armenian defense, Renato Veiga seized the opportunity and took advantage of his position to score the first goal for his national team.

Even if Cristiano Ronaldo was not able to start today against Armenia due to his red card, the veteran star decided to send an emotional message to his teammates. With this, the captain showcases his compromise with Portugal, who need a victory today to secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

"Come on team! All together today and always! For Portugal and for our flag!," he posted, via x.

The last game from Portugal in UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Armenia has kicked off.

You can watch the World Cup qualifier live on FS2, Fubo and ViX.

Despite their latest defeat against Ireland, Portugal are leading the standings in Group F of the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers with 10 points, but they still need specific scenarios to secure their spot. With Hungary trailing behind with 8 points, they need to secure a victory to clinch a direct spot in the tournament without depending on any result.

In case Portugal tie with Armenia, they will depend on the game between Hungary vs Ireland. If Dominik Szoboszlai’s team gets a victory in the game, they will tie Cristiano’s team with 11 points. As first tiebreaker is the goal difference, where Portugal hold a +5 advantage. Nonetheless, If goal difference is also tied, the next tiebreaker is head-to-head results, where Portugal have the advantage with one win and one draw.

If Portugal lose against Armenia, they will still depend on the game between Hungary vs Ireland. In case Dominik Szoboszlai’s team gets a victory in the game, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team will be forced to play the European playoff in March.

Despite the urgence to clinch a victory, Portugal will not count with Cristiano Ronaldo in their lineup. After receiving a direct red card in the latest game vs Ireland, the veteran star is set to miss at least two games, risking his presence in the 2026 World Cup debut, in case they secure their spot.

Not only Cristiano, but also Nuno Mendes and Pedro Neto will be absent due to injuries. For that reason, coach Roberto Martinez will be forced to make notable changes in the usual lineup, testing the depth of the squad.

Without any absentee, Armenia are set to face Portugal, chasing their first-ever victory against them. Head coach Eghishe Melikyan will lineup as follows: Henri Avagyan; Kamo Hovhannisyan, Styopa Mkrtchyan, Sergei Muradian, Erik Piloyan, Nayair Tiknizyan; Karen Muradyan, Eduard Spertsyan, Narek Aghasaryan; Artur Serobyan, Grant-Leon Ranos.

Taking into account the numerous absentees, Portugal have been forced to make some changes in the lineup. Head coach Roberto Martinez decided to lineup as follows: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Diogo Dalot; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Goncalo Ramos, Rafael Leao.

Unlike the latest Portugal’s matchup at home, they will face Armenia at Estádio Do Dragão, FC Porto’s stadium. With a full capacity of 50,033 spectators, the venture was opened in 16 November of 2003, exactly 22 years algo. Considered as one of the best sportive ventures in the country, it costed €125 million.

At Do Dragão, Portugal were able to lift their first-ever UEFA Nations League, beating 1-0 Netherlands. For that reason, they expect to secure their spot at 2026 World Cup in the same scenario.

Portugal and Armenia set to face each other at 9:00 a.m (ET).

You can watch the World Cup qualifier live on FS2, Fubo and ViX.

Welcome to our live blog for the match between Portugal and Armenia on Matchday 6 of Group F in the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Stay with us for minute-by-minute coverage of the match!