Portugal sent a clear message in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier, thrashing Armenia 5–0 in Yerevan, with standout performances from Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, who both netted braces in a dominant display.

The visitors took control early on. In just the 10th minute, João Félix opened the scoring with a clinical header from a pinpoint cross by João Cancelo. Eleven minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo made it 2–0, tapping home from close range to register his 139th international goal — a record that continues to stretch the limits of international football greatness.

João Cancelo got on the scoresheet himself in the 32nd minute, latching onto a pass from Félix and smashing the ball into the net to make it three before half-time.

Just one minute into the second half, Ronaldo struck again — this time with a thunderous volley that deflected off the goalkeeper and crossed the line. The scoring was wrapped up in style when Félix added his second of the night, cheekily backheeling the ball into the net after a clever setup.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Qualifiers

Armenia - Portugal 0:5 (0:3)
Goals: Félix J., 10 (0:1); Cristiano Ronaldo, 21 (0:2); Cancelo, 32 (0:3); Cristiano Ronaldo, 46 (0:4); Félix J., 62 (0:5)

Armenia: Avagyan; Muradyan; Piloyan; Harutyunyan G.; Iwu (Aghasaryan Narek, 86); Hovhannisyan K.; Spertsyan; Zelarayan (Ranos, 61); Barseghyan (Shaghoyan, 79); Tiknizyan (Grigoryan, 79); Bichakhchyan (Sevikyan, 61)
Substitution: Ranos (from 61); Sevikyan (from 61); Grigoryan (from 79); Shaghoyan (from 79); Aghasaryan Narek (from 86)
Bench: Čančarević; Beglaryan; Khachumyan; Simonyan E.; Arutunyan O.; Dashyan; Serobyan Artur
Yellow Cards: Piloyan 26

Portugal: Costa D.; Cancelo (Palhinha, 79); Mendes N. (Tavares N., 67); Dias R.; Inacio; Vitinha F.; Fernandes B.; Félix J. (Pedro Gonçalves, 67); Neves J. P.; Cristiano Ronaldo; Pedro Neto (Trincão, 46)
Substitution: Trincão (from 46); Tavares N. (from 67); Pedro Gonçalves (from 67); Palhinha (from 79)
Bench: José Sá; Rui Silva; Silva A.; Veiga; Bernardo Silva; Conceicao F.; Ruben Neves; Ramos G.