Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace as reigning Nations League champions Portugal cruised to a comfortable 5-0 win over Armenia in their first 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Joao Felix also netted a goal in each half, with Joao Cancelo helping ensure Roberto Martinez’s side made light work of the start to their qualifying campaign.
It took the visitors just 10 minutes to open the scoring, with Joao Felix rising highest to meet Cancelo’s cross from the right and powering his header past a helpless Henri Avagyan.
Ronaldo then got his first of the match in the 21st minute, as he stretched out a leg to poke Pedro Neto’s pinpoint cross in from the edge of the six-yard box.
Portugal’s lead stretched to 3-0 11 minutes later, with Cancelo rifling a powerful effort into the roof of the net after Armenia failed to clear their lines.
The Nations League winners came flying out of the blocks in the second half, with Ronaldo taking just 43 seconds to find the back of the net for a second time. A loose clearance bounced to him outside the box, and he whipped a brilliant strike into the top-right corner.
Bruno Fernandes struck the right post from close range shortly after, misjudging his slide to meet Nuno Mendes’ cross, but Joao Felix got the visitors’ fifth goal in the 61st minute, awkwardly bundling in a deflected delivery at the near post.
Tigran Barseghyan eventually put Portugal under some pressure, with Diogo Costa called into action with some routine saves, but Martinez’s side remained resolute.
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
Martinez could not have asked for more from Portugal to kick off their qualifying campaign, with his side continuing their perfect record against Armenia.
Portugal have never lost against them in seven meetings (won five, drawn two), with this their first meeting since 2015 (a 3-2 win in European Championship qualifying).
It was a well-deserved victory, with Portugal dominating throughout. They accumulated a massive 6.21 expected goals (xG) from their 24 shots, with nine of those on target.
Armenia, by contrast, finished with a meagre 0.18 xG from seven attempts, with only three of those testing Costa.