Portugal qualify for World Cup with 9-1 thrashing of Armenia

PARIS – Portugal crushed Armenia 9-1 without their suspended talisman and captain Cristiano Ronaldo to clinch qualification for the 2026 World Cup on Nov 16.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Paris Saint-Germain’s Joao Neves both scored hat-tricks for Roberto Martinez’s side as they racked up a huge win in Porto to top Group F.

Armenia had equalised after Renato Veiga opened the scoring for Portugal but after Goncalo Ramos scored in the 28th minute, it was one-way traffic as Portugal finished with 13 points – three ahead of the Republic of Ireland, who won 3-2 in Hungary.

The other goal came from Francisco Conceicao.

This marks the seventh consecutive time they have qualified for the World Cup.

Ronaldo is in danger of missing at least Portugal’s opening match of the tournament after being shown a red card in Nov 13’s 2-0 loss to Ireland.

He served his mandatory one-game suspension against Armenia, but Fifa disciplinary rules state that a ban of at least two matches is required for “serious foul play” and for at least three matches for “violent conduct”.

It could be three weeks before Fifa issues a verdict.

On Nov 15, Spain all but mathematically booked their ticket to the World Cup with a “complete performance” in their 4-0 thrashing of Georgia, with Turkey delaying their celebrations by edging out Bulgaria 2-0.

Mikel Oyarzabal bagged a brace as the Spaniards maintained their perfect qualification record by outclassing their opponents in Tbilisi.

He scored his eighth goal in his last eight appearances for Spain in the 63rd minute, following his 11th-minute penalty, guiding in a header from a deft cross by Ferran Torres.

“I’m happy to be able to help the team; we had to do our part,” Real Sociedad forward Oyarzabal said.

“If I can contribute with a goal, great. And if not, the important thing is the team, that the national team keeps improving, and that’s how we continue.”

Torres added: “A complete performance – we leave with a good feeling. We did a really good job as a team.

“It’s not mathematically certain yet, but we’re focused on the last match – we’re going to play to qualify. It’s in our own hands.”

Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Martin Zubimendi doubled the European champions’ advantage on 22 minutes after he was left unmarked to slot home a pass from Fabian Ruiz.

And Torres put the game to bed 10 minutes before the break by converting a cross from Oyarzabal, before providing an assist for his teammate in the second half.

That commanding victory left Spain with a three-point lead over Turkey at the top of Group E and a vastly superior goal difference.

Turkey would have to pull off a stunning seven-goal victory away to Spain on Nov 18 to pip La Roja to automatic World Cup qualification.

Spain have scored 19 goals in their five matches so far, without conceding a single one.

In their clash against Bulgaria, Hakan Calhanoglu gave Turkey the lead from the penalty spot on 18 minutes. But the hosts laboured to add to that in Bursa, until Atanas Chernev bundled a cross past his own goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov seven minutes from time.

Kosovo, likewise, prevented Switzerland from booking their spot in North America in 2026, beating Slovenia 2-0 to prolong the Group B suspense for another three days.

Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Sweden, though, means that only an unlikely thrashing in Kosovo on Nov 18 could prevent them from progressing.

Kosovo will need to beat the Swiss 6-0 to snatch the automatic qualifying spot away from them.

“When a team like Kosovo gets so many points, then it is absolutely deserved. Kosovo have done a good job in recent years,” said Switzerland coach Murat Yakin.

“It is a shame, of course, that we did not secure qualification tonight. We have a solid team. We expect a difficult match against Kosovo. But we will not focus on defence.

“We will enjoy this victory and then we will work to win three points in Kosovo.”

Elsewhere, Belgium missed the chance to secure their spot at the World Cup after they were held to a 1-1 draw in Kazakhstan.

Although with a home tie against Liechtenstein – who have lost all their matches so far – to come, they should comfortably secure that.

They remain top of Group J with 15 points, two ahead of both North Macedonia and Wales, who won 1-0 away to Liechtenstein to keep their automatic qualification hopes alive. AFP, REUTERS