Portugal Thrash Armenia in Diego Jota Tribute, Ronaldo Shines

In a moving tribute to Diego Jota, the footballer who tragically passed away in a car accident last July, Portugal secured a resounding victory against Armenia. The memories of Jota were repeatedly evoked during celebrations by Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, two stars of Al-Nassr, who brought their recent club form into the national team. Portugal dominated the match from start to finish, winning 5-0.

Match Overview

Portugal started strongly, pressing Armenia from the outset. Within 10 minutes, the visitors took the lead. João Félix, replicating the form that earned him a hat-trick in his Al-Nassr debut, leapt to meet a cross from João Cancelo and headed the ball into the net.

Shortly afterwards, Cristiano Ronaldo added Portugal’s second goal, connecting with a floating pass from Pedro Neto to score with a precise touch. This goal marked Ronaldo’s fourth consecutive international match with a goal.

At the 32nd minute, Ronaldo’s attempt hit the Armenian goalkeeper, but the rebound was converted by João Cancelo, who celebrated the goal in a yoga-like pose in honour of Jota.

Early in the second half, Ronaldo struck a spectacular long-range goal from outside the box, a bullet-speed shot that the goalkeeper could not stop.

This goal brought Ronaldo’s international tally to 140 goals in 122 matches, including his 38th in World Cup qualifiers, the second-highest in history.

Félix scored again in the 61st minute, finishing a close-range effort after a deflection off an opponent. Ronaldo was substituted in the 58th minute for Gonçalo Ramos, ending his hopes of a hat-trick, but Portugal continued to dominate.

Key Moments

Group F Update

In other Group F action, Hungary and Ireland drew 2-2, leaving Portugal at the top of the group with a perfect start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix’s stellar performance ensured that Portugal not only honoured the memory of Diego Jota but also sent a clear statement to the rest of the group with a dominant 5-0 victory.