Portugal emphatically launchedโ theirโค 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with โคa dominant 5-0 victoryโข over Armenia in Yerevan on September 8, 2025. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 39 years old, spearheaded the โattack, nettingโ a brace to become the oldest player to score inโข a World Cup qualifier for โฃPortugal.
These opening matches across Europe setโ the stage for a grueling qualification process, determining which nations will secure โคcoveted spots at the expanded 48-team tournament in 2026.โ The results offer early insights into team form and โขtactical approaches as countriesโ vie for a place in the finals, โimpacting national pride, economic benefits through tourism,โข and the global โฃfootball โcalendar.Portugal’s strong start positions โฃthem โfavorably in Group H, while other โฃqualifying groups are beginning to take shape.
Ronaldo’s goals,in the 33rd โขand 69th minutes,where complemented by strikes from Joรฃo Fรฉlix,Arturโฃ Karamian (an own goal),and substitute Simonian. The Portuguese sideโ controlled possession and demonstrated attacking prowess throughout the contest.
Elsewhere, England also began their qualifying journey with a comfortable win, defeating Andorra 5-0.Details regarding England’s goalscorers and match specificsโ were not โimmediately available.The qualifying phase will continue with further matchesโค scheduled throughout 2025 and 2026, culminating โขinโฃ a clearer picture of theโฃ teams heading to the World Cup. these โinitial results provide a glimpse into the โคcompetitive landscape and the challenges that lie โahead for aspiring nations.