Portugal confirmed their participation at a seventh consecutive FIFA World Cup in very convincing fashion by thrashing Armenia 9-1 in Lisbon. João Neves and Bruno Fernandes scored three times each in absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Roberto Martínez’s team came into the game looking for a reaction after a shocking 2-0 defeat against the Republic of Ireland, and they did not waste a lot of time in showing who was the boss.
Within seven minutes, Renato Veiga had already broken the deadlock, as he was the fastest to react to a rebound and scored with a header. Armenia for short time made the crowd silent because the moment Spertsyan was bundled in the equaliser and all were shocked as it was the first attack of the game, but Portugal did not take long to get the upper hand again.
Gonçalo Ramos, who replaced the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, took advantage of a defensive slip to take the lead again before Neves at first scored a calm goal and then, by a magnificent long-range free-kick, made it 4-1. The visitors again by mistake allowed Fernandes to score from the penalty spot before the break.
After the pause Portugal did not stop with their attack. Fernandes made his second goal with a shot that went in very nicely and then from the spot completed his hat-trick after new player Carlos Forbs had been fouled. Neves later scored a goal which he guided in and substitute Francisco Conceição closed the scoring in added time.
The win is good for Portugal to be able to stretch their unbeaten home run to eight games, and it also allows Martínez turning full attention to the World Cup preparations.
