Only Nuno Mendes is missing from the Parisians. While Portugal plays a direct 2026 World Cup qualifier in the final qualifying match against Armenia this Sunday (15.00), Roberto Martinez decided to field three Paris Saint-Germain players from the start.
Vitinha and João Neves start alongside Bruno Fernandes in midfield, while Gonçalo Ramos will occupy the front line of attack with support from Rafael Leão and captain Bernardo Silva. The capital club striker digitally replaced Cristiano Ronaldo. Sent off for the first time in his selection career after a poor attitude against Ireland in Dublin on Thursday as his team lost (2-0), the Portuguese star did not play.
Top of Group F before the final day, Seleção is still within reach of Hungary and Ireland and the dynamics have been far from positive of late. As their two pursuers faced each other, the Lusitans would not be able to drop lower than second place, which would send them down the winding road towards the dam. A win against Armenia, who team-mates CR7 beat 5-0 in the first leg, would ensure that the Portuguese side definitely punch their ticket to the World Cup.
Portugal team composition:
Costa – Semedo, Dias, Veiga, Cancelo – Vitinha, Neves, Bruno Fernandes – Bernardo Silva, Leão, Ramos
