Portugal marched into their seventh straight FIFA World Cup with a ruthless 9-1 demolition of Armenia, a statement win driven by hat-tricks from Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes.
The result restored calm after last week’s shock 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland and ensured Roberto Martinez’s side topped their qualifying group in style.
Any nerves evaporated early. Renato Veiga opened the scoring in the seventh minute, reacting quickest to nod in after Fernandes’ free-kick was parried.
Armenia somehow found an equaliser with their first meaningful foray, Eduard Spertsyan bundling home after Grant-Leon Ranos muscled past Veiga.
Deputising for the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, Goncalo Ramos punished a loose backpass to restore Portugal’s lead before Joao Neves finished off a flowing move seconds later.
The 19-year-old then produced a sensational long-range free-kick that thundered in via the crossbar, highlighting the gulf in class.
Fernandes added a fifth from the penalty spot after Ruben Dias was hauled down, and the captain continued the scoring after the interval, sweeping in his second before completing his hat-trick with another penalty following a foul on debutant Carlos Forbs.
Neves completed his own treble with a composed finish nine minutes later.
Substitute Francisco Conceição sealed the rout in stoppage time, matching Portugal’s highest-ever goal tally in a qualifier and leaving Armenia with just one win in 10 matches.
Martinez, now unbeaten in eight home games as Portugal coach, turns fully to World Cup preparations and to a campaign that will begin without Ronaldo due to suspension.
