Portugal Eye World Cup Spot Without Ronaldo Against Armenia
Portugal are set to host Armenia in what could be a decisive final qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this Sunday at Estádio do Dragão in Porto. The match has taken on even more significance following Portugal’s shock 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland earlier this week, a loss that not only ended their unbeaten run in the qualifiers but also saw Cristiano Ronaldo receive the first red card of his international career. This defeat was the first during Spanish coach Roberto Martinez’s tenure, and it has added pressure on the team to secure victory against Armenia to avoid slipping into second place in Group F and facing the play-off route.
Portugal will be without Ronaldo for the clash, as he serves a one-match suspension for an off-the-ball incident in the 61st minute against Ireland, where he elbowed Dara O’Shea. The absence of the 40-year-old captain presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Goncalo Ramos, the 24-year-old striker from Paris Saint-Germain, is expected to step into the forward role and could make a major impact. Bruno Fernandes returns from suspension, bolstering Portugal’s midfield just in time for this critical fixture.
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Armenia, on the other hand, are already confirmed to finish at the bottom of Group F. Head coach Yeghishe Melikyan has no fresh injury concerns and will field a balanced squad, featuring key players like Eduard Spertsyan, Kamo Hovhannisyan, and Nair Tiknizyan, who are capable of leading the team and delivering a spirited performance. While Armenia have little to play for in terms of qualification, pride will be at stake, and Melikyan may give some new players a chance to showcase their talent in what will be a challenging encounter.
Portugal began the qualification campaign strongly, winning their opening three matches against Armenia, Hungary, and Ireland, which put them in a commanding position atop the group. However, their form dipped in October with a draw against Hungary followed by the unexpected loss in Dublin to Ireland, where Troy Parrott scored twice to hand Portugal a heavy setback. Despite this, Portugal still lead Group F on ten points from five matches, with a superior goal difference over second-placed Hungary.
Armenia’s campaign has been tough, with only one win from five games—a memorable 2-1 victory against Ireland at home. The rest of their fixtures ended in defeat, including a 6-0 thrashing by Portugal earlier in the campaign, illustrating the gulf in quality between the two sides.
For Portugal, victory on Sunday would confirm their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America. A draw or loss, however, could complicate matters, especially with Hungary closely trailing. Armenia, ranked 104th in the world, will be underdogs, but they are expected to play with pride and determination. Fans can watch the match live in the UK via Amazon Prime Video, while other regions will follow local broadcast or streaming options.
This fixture promises to be a fascinating test for Portugal as they aim to secure their spot in the World Cup without their legendary captain, while Armenia will hope to end their campaign on a positive note despite the odds stacked against them.
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