Portugal secured first place in Group “F” and qualification for the World Cup in North America after a brilliant performance in their last match of the qualifiers, Sportal.bg reported.
The Iberians overcame Armenia in Porto with 9:1. Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves scored hat-tricks, and for the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder these were the first goals for the national team. Before their goals, Renato Veiga opened the scoring in the seventh minute, and Gonzalo Ramos scored in the 28th minute. At the very end, reserve Francisco Conceicao also became one of the scorers.
Roberto Martinez's team began to dominate from the very beginning and put pressure on the opponent. He managed to score an early goal. In the seventh minute, Bruno Fernandes surprised the goalkeeper with a foul, Avagyan knocked the ball into the post, but then Veiga headed it into the net. The situation was reviewed by VAR due to suspicions of offside, but the goal was recognized. The Armenians surprised the hosts with their first attack. Ranos broke through from the right and crossed sharply, and Spertsyan intercepted the ball into the net and the score was equalized.
Portugal again launched attacks and situations in front of the guests' goal were not uncommon. Gonzalo Ramos missed a good opportunity, and for a while Armenia managed to hold on. This changed within two minutes, when two more goals were scored. First, Ramos scored after a gross error in the opponent's defense. He intercepted a ball returned to the goalkeeper, went around him and put the hosts ahead. Seconds later, an excellent combination ended with a goal by Joao Neves, for whom it was the first goal for the national team.
With this lead, the Iberians were already having fun, continuing to dominate. A fantastic pass from Bruno Fernandes found Bernardo Silva in front of the goal. The situation was not easy and the Manchester City player made an acrobatic shot, but the goalkeeper managed to do it. In the 41st minute, Neves scored his second goal of the match after a magnificent free kick. At the end of the first half, a shot by Cancelo hit the post after a ricochet. In added time, Bruno Fernandes scored from a penalty awarded for a foul on Ramos.
Roberto Martinez's team did not relax and started the second half very strongly. The visitors' goalkeeper had to deal with a shot by Leao, and then a shot by Cancelo went over the goal. In the 52nd minute, the sixth goal was scored in Avagyan's goal. Gonzalo Ramos did an excellent job and passed to Bruno Fernandes, who scored with a precise shot.
The substitutions began for the home team, who continued to have a huge advantage. One of the reserves - Francisco Conceicao, made an excellent breakthrough, but his shot did not trouble the goalkeeper. Vitina was brought into a good position, but shot inaccurately. Another reserve - Carlos Forbes, won a penalty and this allowed Bruno Fernandes to complete his hat-trick.
Portugal did not stop attacking and created many more chances. Joao Neves also reached a hat-trick. Neves' header hit the post, but the ball went to his teammate, who sent it into the net. Conceicao, Ramos and Joao Felix made mistakes. At the very end of the match, Conceicao also scored after a good shot.