Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in an emotional match for Portugal, who defeated Armenia 5-0 in their World Cup qualifier. The match was played in tribute to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward, and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically passed away in a car accident in July.
A minute's silence was observed before kickoff at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium. The atmosphere was somber but determined as Portugal took to the field.
Joao Felix opened the scoring in the 10th minute, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Ronaldo then scored in the 21st minute, the same number Jota wore for Portugal, making it 2-0. Nuno Tavares remarked, "We're all very happy because it shows he's [Jota] with us, that he was there, and that moment, Ronaldo's goal, was made possible. He'll always be with us, as was clear today."
Joao Cancelo added a third goal before Ronaldo scored his second with a stunning long-range strike, extending his international record to 140 goals. Felix rounded off the scoring with his second goal just after the hour mark.
Ronaldo's Record-Breaking Performance
Cristiano Ronaldo's two goals against Armenia further solidify his position as the player with the most goals for a national team. He now has 38 goals in World Cup qualifiers, surpassing Lionel Messi (36) and closing in on the record holder, Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz (39). Ronaldo has scored in 7 of his last 8 matches for club and country, showcasing his consistent performance.
Other World Cup Qualifier Results
In other World Cup qualifier matches, Germany suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat to Slovakia, marking their first-ever loss in an opening World Cup qualifier and their first away loss in a World Cup qualifier. The Netherlands drew 1-1 with Poland, while Spain defeated Bulgaria 3-0, extending their unbeaten run to 21 matches under Luis de la Fuente.