All of Ireland panicked about this victoryPortugal put on an absolute gala performance without the red-hot Ronaldo
After the setback in Ireland three days ago, there was little doubt regarding Portugal’s World Cup qualification. The team put this away against Armenia with nine goals. And that’s without their superstars. Ireland reversed after a last-gasp win.
Without their red-barred superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s national team qualified for next year’s World Cup with a football fest. Roberto Martinez’s team secured first place in Group F with a 9:1 (5:1) win against Armenia and thus avoided a detour through the playoffs. Captain Ronaldo (40) is absent from Porto as he was sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Ireland on Thursday.
At the last minute, Ireland secured second place behind Portugal with a 3:2 (1:2) win against Hungary in Budapest and could therefore still hope for a place in the World Cup via the playoffs. Ireland’s hero was Troy Parrott, who scored all three of his team’s goals. He scored the winning goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Fernandes and Neves each scored three goals
In Porto, Renato Veiga (7), Goncalo Ramos (28), Joao Neves (30/41) and Bruno Fernandes (45+3) scored against overwhelmed visitors before the break. The Portuguese player easily overcame the brief shock of Eduard Spertsyan’s equalizer (18′).
After a substitution, Bruno Fernandes (51st/72nd, penalty) increased the lead with his second and third goals. Joao Neves (81) with his third goal and Francisco Conceicao (90+2) ensured the party ended well.
31 of 48: These teams have already qualified
So far, 31 of the 48 teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Automatically the three hosts, the US, Canada and Mexico are there. Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Uzbekistan made it into the Asian elimination.
From Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, Cape Verde, Senegal and South Africa have so far secured tickets. England, France, Croatia and now Portugal are the first European teams to take part. Defending champions Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay are from South America. New Zealand has purchased a ticket in Oceania.
