Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Twice, Felix Nets Twice in Portugal’s 5-0 Triumph Over Armenia

Portugal delivered a commanding performance in their European World Cup qualifiers, securing a 5-0 victory over Armenia while honoring the memory of footballer Diego Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident last July. The team and fans paid tribute to Jota during the celebrations of Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix, highlighting the emotional significance of the match. Both Ronaldo and Felix, who currently play for Al-Nasr, carried the momentum of their strong club form into the national team performance, making a significant impact on the game. From the opening whistle, Portugal dominated possession and controlled the flow of the match, leaving Armenia struggling to keep pace.

The match, played at home for Portugal, began with a strong display of teamwork and tactical precision. Within the first ten minutes, Joao Felix opened the scoring after connecting with Joao Cancelo’s precise cross. The young forward, who had recently impressed in the Saudi Pro League, leaped to head the ball into the net, giving Portugal an early advantage. The momentum continued when Cristiano Ronaldo, the iconic Portuguese captain, scored his first goal of the night ten minutes later. He headed in a perfectly placed ball from Pedro Neto, marking his fourth consecutive goal for the national team. This early dominance set the tone for the rest of the match, as Portugal maintained approximately 71 percent possession and constantly pressed Armenia’s defense.

In the 32nd minute, Ronaldo attempted a second goal, but the Armenian goalkeeper made a crucial save. The ball rebounded to Joao Cancelo, who quickly capitalized on the opportunity, netting Portugal’s third goal. Cancelo celebrated the goal with a symbolic yoga pose reminiscent of Jota, further highlighting the tribute element of the match. The first half ended with Portugal firmly in control, and Armenia struggling to create meaningful chances, despite nine of their 24 shots reaching the target.

The second half saw Ronaldo extend Portugal’s lead with a spectacular long-range strike. Exploiting a lapse in Armenia’s defensive structure, he fired a bullet-speed shot from outside the box that the goalkeeper could not stop. This goal marked Ronaldo’s 140th in international football across 122 matches, solidifying his status as one of the greatest goal scorers in the sport. Even after this milestone, Ronaldo and midfield partner Bruno Fernandes continued to orchestrate attacks, keeping Armenia under relentless pressure.

Ronaldo’s chance for a hat-trick was interrupted in the 58th minute when Gonzalo Ramos was fouled, preventing a potential third goal for the captain. However, Joao Felix soon restored Portugal’s dominance by scoring his second goal in the 61st minute. He sprinted toward the ball, controlled it perfectly, and ensured it crossed the goal line, sealing a memorable evening for Portugal. Meanwhile, Joao Felix and Ronaldo’s contributions highlighted the team’s balanced attacking threat, combining creativity, precision, and power.

Despite continued attacks from both sides, neither team managed to add to the scoreline. Portugal’s cohesive strategy, efficient passing, and clinical finishing allowed them to start the World Cup qualifiers with an emphatic 5-0 victory. The result not only demonstrated their superiority but also provided a strong psychological boost for the team ahead of future fixtures. In another Group F match, Hungary and Ireland played out a 2-2 draw, keeping the group competition open. Portugal’s win reinforced their status as a powerhouse in European football and showcased the enduring talents of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix, while emotionally honoring the late Diego Jota.