Portugal cruised to a 5-0 victory over Armenia in their World Cup qualifier, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice. Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo also contributed to the win. Portugal dominated the match, accumulating a massive 6.21 expected goals (xG) from their 24 shots, while Armenia finished with a meagre 0.18 xG from seven attempts. The result continues Portugal’s perfect record against Armenia.
Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his enduring brilliance with a brace as Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions, initiated their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a resounding 5-0 triumph over Armenia. The match, a display of Portuguese dominance, saw goals from Joao Felix (with one in each half) and Joao Cancelo, underscoring Roberto Martinez's team's seamless start to their quest for a spot in the global tournament.
The visitors wasted no time in asserting their authority, breaking the deadlock within the first 10 minutes. Joao Felix, demonstrating his aerial prowess, rose above the Armenian defense to meet Joao Cancelo's precise cross from the right flank, heading the ball emphatically past the helpless Henri Avagyan in goal. The early goal set the tone for Portugal's commanding performance.
Ronaldo, never one to be overshadowed, etched his name onto the scoresheet in the 21st minute. Reacting with predatory instinct, he stretched out a leg to deftly redirect Pedro Neto's pinpoint cross from the edge of the six-yard box, leaving Avagyan with no chance. The goal highlighted Ronaldo's exceptional anticipation and clinical finishing.
Portugal extended their lead to 3-0 in the 32nd minute, courtesy of a thunderous strike from Joao Cancelo. Following a failed clearance attempt by the Armenian defense, Cancelo seized the opportunity, unleashing a powerful shot that soared into the roof of the net, leaving the home crowd stunned.
The second half commenced with Portugal continuing their relentless pursuit of goals. Just 43 seconds after the restart, Ronaldo struck again, further solidifying his status as one of the game's all-time greats. A loose clearance fell to Ronaldo outside the penalty area, and he responded with a stunning strike, curling the ball perfectly into the top-right corner of the net, leaving Avagyan grasping at thin air.
Shortly after Ronaldo's second goal, Bruno Fernandes nearly added his name to the scoresheet, striking the right post from close range. He mistimed his slide to connect with Nuno Mendes' inviting cross, narrowly missing the target. However, Portugal's hunger for goals remained undiminished.
Joao Felix completed the rout in the 61st minute, adding his second goal of the match. He capitalized on a deflected delivery at the near post, bundling the ball into the net to complete a comprehensive victory for the visitors. The goal reflected Portugal's dominance and their ability to capitalize on any opportunity.
Armenia, to their credit, attempted to mount a response, with Tigran Barseghyan putting the Portuguese defense under some pressure. Diogo Costa, in goal for Portugal, was called into action, making a series of routine saves to preserve his clean sheet. However, Portugal's defense, well-organized and resolute, remained largely untroubled.
Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal wins their first #FIFAWorldCup 26 qualifier pic.twitter.com/Z8u4fBl7uu
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 6, 2025
Data Debrief: The Perfect Start for Portugal
Roberto Martinez could not have envisioned a better start to Portugal's qualifying campaign. The victory extended Portugal's perfect record against Armenia, highlighting their dominance in head-to-head encounters.
Portugal have now won five and drawn two of their seven matches against Armenia. They haven't lost against them. This match marked their first meeting since 2015, when Portugal secured a 3-2 victory in European Championship qualifying.
The victory was well-deserved, with Portugal demonstrating their superiority throughout the match. They amassed an impressive 6.21 expected goals (xG) from their 24 shots, with nine of those hitting the target.
In stark contrast, Armenia managed a meager 0.18 xG from seven attempts, with only three of those requiring Costa to make a save. The statistics underscore Portugal's dominance and their clinical efficiency in front of goal.