Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo reacted to the team's qualification for the 2026 World Cup, BTA reported.
“We qualified for the World Cup. Go Portugal!“ Ronaldo wrote on his social networks. The team led by Roberto Martinez defeated Armenia 9-1 in their final qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup. Portugal qualified for this forum for the seventh time in a row.
The World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Portugal defeated Armenia at home 9-1 and qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals, while in the other match in Group "F" the Republic of Ireland won dramatically 3-2 away against Hungary and will play a play-off for the World Cup in North America.
In the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves scored hat-tricks for the Iberians. Two of the Manchester United midfielder's goals were from penalties. Gonzalo Ramos, Francisco Conceicao and Renato Veiga, who opened the scoring in the seventh minute, scored once each.
Eduard Spertsyan surprisingly equalized in the 18th minute, but after that the Armenians conceded eight unanswered goals.
Former CSKA player Zhirair Shagoyan came on as a substitute for the visitors in the second half.
Portugal is in first place in the group with 13 points and will participate in the World Cup for the seventh time in a row. The Armenians are in last place with 3 points.