Portugal Defeats Armenia 5-0 in Emotional World Cup Qualifier
Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 139th and 140th international goals as Portugal dominated Armenia with a 5-0 victory in their first match since the passing of Diogo Jota in a car accident last July.
A minute of silence was observed before the World Cup qualifier in memory of Jota, who earned 49 caps for Portugal. Banners honoring him were displayed around Yerevan’s Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.
João Félix put Portugal ahead in the 10th minute before Ronaldo doubled the lead, converting Pedro Neto’s cross. João Cancelo extended the advantage to 3-0, celebrating with a tribute to Jota’s signature video game celebration.
Ronaldo, now 40, struck again after halftime with a powerful long-range effort, while Félix added another goal to seal the result.
The match marked Portugal’s opening fixture in a qualifying group that also features Hungary and the Republic of Ireland.
Elsewhere, Serbia maintained their pursuit of Group K leaders England with a 1-0 win over Latvia in Riga. Dušan Vlahović secured the victory with a 12th-minute strike from outside the box.
Dragan Stojković’s squad now trails England by five points, with the two teams set to meet in Belgrade on Tuesday.
In African World Cup qualifying, Nigeria kept their hopes alive with a 1-0 win against Rwanda. Substitute Tolu Arokodare, who recently signed with Wolves from Genk, scored an acrobatic winner in the 50th minute.
A loss would have ended Nigeria’s qualifying campaign, but the win leaves them six points behind group leaders South Africa and five behind second-place Benin, with three matches remaining. The group winners secure automatic qualification, while the runner-up advances to the intercontinental playoffs for next summer’s tournament in North America.
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