PARIS: Portugal booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a 9-1 victory over Armenia on Sunday.
After being held by Hungary and then stunned by Republic of Ireland last time out, Portugal sealed top spot in Group F at the third time of asking with a resounding win over bottom-side Armenia.
In the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, star midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves both scored hat-tricks as the Portuguese ran riot in Porto.
Renato Veiga, Goncalo Ramos and Francisco Conceicao were also on the scoresheet.
“The most important thing was qualifying for the World Cup,” Paris Saint-Germain lynchpin Neves told RTP.
“For me, as I always say, the team always comes before the individual. I’m very happy to have scored my first goal for the national team, and my second and third as well.”
Portugal will compete in a seventh consecutive edition of the World Cup, a tournament which the Euro 2016 champions are yet to win.
“We’re at the World Cup! Let’s go, Portugal!” Ronaldo posted on social media.
The striker could miss the start of the tournament depending on whether FIFA extend his suspension beyond the mandatory one-match ban he served against Armenia.
Ireland sewed up the play-off place in the group thanks to Troy Parrott’s 96th-minute hat-trick goal handing them a 3-2 win over third-placed Hungary.
Thomas Tuchel’s England completed a perfect group-stage performance as they won 2-0 against Albania to finish their campaign with a 100 percent record, featuring 22 goals scored and zero conceded — a European record for a team playing at least six qualifying matches.
“I think it’s as good (a squad) as we’ve ever had,” Harry Kane, who scored both England goals, told ITV.
“I think when you look at the starting 11, you look at the players coming off the bench, we’re going to go into the tournament as one of the favourites.”
With Albania already assured of second place, Serbia beat Latvia 2-1 in a dead-rubber in Group K’s other match. – AFP
