Portugal put on a dominant display Saturday night in Yerevan, defeating Armenia 5-0 in a World Cup qualifying match.
The Seleção wasted little time asserting control, with goals flowing throughout the first World Cup qualifying contest for each team.
Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix scored braces, while João Cancelo also scored, as the Saudi Arabia club-based players gave Armenia too much to handle.
It took 10 minutes to score when Cancelo reached the byline and lifted a sharp cross onto the head of Felix, who had little trouble breaking the 0-0 deadlock.
Ronaldo scored his 139th and 140th international goals tonight with his brace, and Felix continued his scoring form from his recent play with his club Al Nassr for the easy win.
Diogo Costa was rarely called into action tonight, making three saves, and Martinez was thrilled to get off the mark with a convincing victory.
“It’s important to start well, to hold on to the game, and we did that,” said Martinez.”The attitude was exemplary, we controlled the game, and had a good rhythm after scoring the first goal.”
A minute’s silence was held before the World Cup qualifier in honor of Diogo Jota, who won 49 caps for Portugal, and banners were on display around the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan.
In the other group match, Adam Idah came off the bench to earn the Republic of Ireland a point with a dramatic 2-2 draw against 10-man Hungary in their opening qualifier.
Portugal XI
Diogo Costa, Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, João Félix, Ronaldo— PortugueseSoccer.com (@PsoccerCOM) September 6, 2025
The Seleção start their World Cup qualifying campaign with a win.
Next stop away to Hungary on Tuesday.
Your Man of the Match?
— PortugueseSoccer.com (@PsoccerCOM) September 6, 2025
