Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal honored the late Diogo Jota with a dominant 5-0 victory over Armenia in a World Cup qualifier. Serbia kept their qualification hopes alive with a 1-0 win against Latvia, while Nigeria edged Rwanda 1-0 in the African qualifiers.
Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name further into footballing legend, netting his 139th and 140th international goals, as Portugal delivered a resounding 5-0 victory against Armenia. The match was emotionally charged, serving as a poignant tribute to Diogo Jota, the Portuguese international who tragically passed away in a car accident in July. The atmosphere in Yerevan's Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium was thick with remembrance, with banners honoring Jota displayed prominently throughout the venue.
A hush fell over the stadium as a minute's silence was observed before kick-off, a solemn moment to commemorate Jota's contributions to Portuguese football. Jota, who earned 49 caps for his nation, was remembered fondly by fans and teammates alike. The match, a crucial World Cup qualifier, took on added significance as Portugal sought to honor their fallen comrade with a dominant performance.
Portugal wasted no time in asserting their dominance. João Félix opened the scoring in the 10th minute, igniting the Portuguese attack. Ronaldo soon followed, doubling the lead with a clinical finish from Pedro Neto's precise cross. The Portuguese players visibly played with Jota on their minds, and João Cancelo dedicated his goal to the late player. Cancelo celebrated by miming Jota's iconic video game celebration, a touching gesture that resonated with fans and teammates alike.
Ronaldo, displaying his enduring class at the age of 40, extended Portugal's advantage shortly after the restart. He unleashed a thunderous strike from distance, a bouncing ball that left the Armenian goalkeeper with no chance. The Al-Nassr teammates were on fire as Félix added his second goal later in the game to complete the scoring for Portugal.
Portugal's emphatic victory sets a strong precedent in their World Cup qualifying campaign. The group also includes Hungary and the Republic of Ireland, making for a competitive path to the finals. The Portuguese team looks poised to carry their momentum forward, driven by the memory of Jota and the ambition to secure a place in the prestigious tournament.
Meanwhile, in Group K, Serbia kept their hopes of catching England alive with a narrow 1-0 victory over Latvia in Riga. Dusan Vlahovic struck the decisive blow in the 12th minute, expertly placing the ball past Latvian goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris from just outside the penalty area. Serbia, under the guidance of Dragan Stojkovic, now trail group leaders England by five points, setting the stage for a crucial encounter between the two sides in Belgrade on Tuesday.
Across the Atlantic, in the African World Cup qualifying section, Nigeria kept their qualification hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Rwanda. Tolu Arokodare, fresh from his transfer deadline day move from Genk to Wolves, emerged as the hero, scoring an acrobatic winner in the 50th minute after coming on as a substitute. A defeat for Nigeria would have extinguished their chances of reaching the World Cup, but the victory propels them within six points of group leaders South Africa and five points behind second-placed Benin, with three games remaining.
The stakes are high in the African qualifiers, with only the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification for the finals in North America next summer. The second-placed team will have a second chance to qualify, heading into intercontinental playoffs. Each team will be fighting tooth and nail to secure their place on the world's biggest stage.