Armenia vs. Portugal: Ronaldo and Félix Shine in 5-0 World Cup Qualifier Rout

Yerevan, Armenia – September 6, 2025

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Match Statistics

• Possession: Armenia 28% - Portugal 72%
• Shots on Target: Armenia 1 - Portugal 9
• Expected Goals (xG): Armenia 0.19 - Portugal 6.21
• Passes Completed: Armenia 204 - Portugal 612

Portugal kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign in dominant fashion, dismantling Armenia 5-0 at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium. The match, marked by an emotional tribute to the late Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, saw Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix each score twice, while João Cancelo added a goal to secure a commanding victory for Roberto Martínez’s side.

Emotional Start in Yerevan

The atmosphere was heavy before kickoff as both teams observed a minute’s silence in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who tragically passed away in a car accident in July. Portuguese midfielder Rúben Neves, wearing Jota’s number 21 jersey, led the team in honoring their fallen teammate. The emotional weight of the moment seemed to fuel Portugal’s relentless performance.

First Half: Portugal’s Early Dominance

Portugal wasted no time asserting their superiority. In the 10th minute, João Cancelo outmaneuvered Armenia’s Nair Tiknizyan and delivered a pinpoint cross to João Félix, who headed home to open the scoring. Eleven minutes later, Pedro Neto’s cross found Cristiano Ronaldo, who calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Henri Avagyan, making it 2-0. The goal, coincidentally, came in the 21st minute—Jota’s jersey number—adding a poignant layer to the strike.

Cancelo wasn’t done, as he scored Portugal’s third in the 32nd minute. After dispossessing Erik Piloyan, Ronaldo’s shot was saved, but Cancelo pounced on the rebound, firing through a crowded box to extend the lead. Armenia struggled to respond, with their only notable chance coming from a Tigran Barseghyan free-kick that posed no real threat to Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Second Half: Ronaldo’s Screamer and Félix’s Brace

Just 45 seconds into the second half, Ronaldo stole the show with a stunning 30-yard strike that swerved past Avagyan and nestled into the top corner, marking his 140th international goal. The 40-year-old captain, fresh off a strong start with Al-Nassr, showcased his enduring brilliance.

In the 61st minute, Félix completed his brace with a slightly fortuitous goal. Gonçalo Ramos squared the ball to him, and a mistimed touch deflected off his knee and looped into the far corner, sealing Portugal’s fifth. Armenia’s defense, overwhelmed by Portugal’s attacking prowess, could only muster a single shot on target, with Barseghyan’s low drive easily saved by Costa.

Tactical Mastery and Squad Depth

Under Roberto Martínez, Portugal displayed a masterclass in control, boasting 6.21 expected goals (xG) compared to Armenia’s 0.19. The midfield duo of João Neves and Vitinha dictated play, while Cancelo’s marauding runs down the right flank overwhelmed Armenia’s defense. Despite missing Rafael Leão and Diogo Dalot due to injuries, Portugal’s squad depth shone through, with substitutes like Nuno Tavares and Pedro Gonçalves maintaining the pressure.

Armenia, led by new manager Yegishe Melikyan, leaned on players like Lucas Zelarayán and Grant-Leon Ranos but struggled against Portugal’s star-studded lineup. Ranked 105th in the FIFA rankings, Armenia faced an uphill battle and couldn’t replicate their competitive showing from a 3-2 loss to Portugal in a 2015 Euro qualifier.

Ronaldo’s Record Chase

Ronaldo’s brace brought him within one goal of Carlos Ruiz’s World Cup qualifying record, further cementing his legacy as the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football. With 10 goals in his last 10 appearances for Portugal, the 40-year-old shows no signs of slowing down as he eyes a sixth World Cup appearance in 2026.

What’s Next?

Portugal’s emphatic win sets the tone for their Group F campaign, which includes Hungary and the Republic of Ireland. They’ll face Hungary in Budapest next, aiming to maintain their momentum after winning the 2025 UEFA Nations League. Armenia, meanwhile, will look to regroup when they host Ireland on September 9.

Where to Watch and Follow

The match was broadcast on the Sony Sports Network in India and streamed live on SonyLiv. In the US, fans could catch the action on Fubo, ViX, and Fox Soccer Plus. For live updates and highlights, platforms like Sofascore and Al Jazeera Sport provided detailed coverage.

Portugal’s clinical performance and heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota made this a night to remember in Yerevan. As they march toward the 2026 World Cup, the Seleção look poised to dominate.