Did Ronaldo Steal the Show in Portugal's FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers?
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Synopsis
Cristiano Ronaldo dazzles in Portugal's stunning 5-0 victory against Armenia in the opening UEFA qualifying round for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This thrilling match is just one of many as teams like England, Austria, and Bosnia also make strong starts, setting the stage for an exciting qualification journey.
Key Takeaways
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Portugal.
- Portugal defeated Armenia 5-0.
- England and Austria also secured victories in their matches.
- Republic of Ireland displayed resilience with a late equalizer.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina maintained their spot at the top of Group H.
New Delhi, Sep 7 (NationPress) Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his brilliance in Portugal's opening match for UEFA qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring two goals in a resounding 5-0 win over Armenia.
The 39-year-old striker has now increased his record international goals to 140 and is just one goal shy of Carlos Ruiz’s all-time World Cup qualifying record of 39. Joao Felix also scored a pair, while Joao Cancelo found the net, as Roberto Martínez’s squad made an early statement in Group F.
The most thrilling match of the day took place in Dublin, where the Republic of Ireland staged an impressive comeback, drawing 2-2 with Hungary. After early goals from Barnabas Varga and Roland Sallai gave Hungary an advantage, Evan Ferguson pulled one back before Sallai received a red card. In a dramatic finish, Adam Idah headed in an equalizer deep into stoppage time.
Austria maintained their perfect start in Group H, narrowly defeating Cyprus 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Marcel Sabitzer after Christoph Baumgartner was fouled. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina secured their place at the top with a dominating 6-0 victory over San Marino, powered by a swift double from Edin Dzeko in the second half, marking their fourth consecutive win and keeping a three-point lead.
In Group K, England continued their winning streak under Thomas Tuchel, defeating Andorra 2-0. An early own goal by Christian Garcia set the tone, with Declan Rice adding a second with a header in the second half. Serbia is still in contention, winning 1-0 in Latvia, where an early goal from Dusan Vlahovic secured the victory despite late pressure from the hosts.
With Portugal, England, Austria, and Bosnia making strong statements, and Ireland’s late heroics adding drama, the journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is already heating up.
Point of View
It is evident that the UEFA qualifiers are shaping up to be an exhilarating journey, with established stars like Ronaldo shining brightly. The performances of emerging talents and seasoned players alike signal a competitive atmosphere. It is crucial to watch how these teams will navigate the challenges ahead in their quest for World Cup glory.
NationPress
07/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Portugal perform in the qualifiers?
Portugal had a commanding 5-0 victory over Armenia, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring two goals.
Who else performed well in the qualifiers?
Teams like England, Austria, and Bosnia also had strong performances, showcasing their potential for the World Cup.
What was the most dramatic match of the day?
The Republic of Ireland's comeback to draw 2-2 against Hungary was the day’s most thrilling match.
