Sports
Portugal thrash Armenia to qualify for W’Cup 2026
Portugal crushed Armenia 9-1 despite the absence of suspended talisman Cristiano Ronaldo on Sunday to clinch qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Paris Saint-Germain’s Joao Neves both scored a hat-trick as Roberto Martinez’s side racked up a huge win in Porto to top Group F.
Renato Veiga got the ball rolling for Portugal, with Goncalo Ramos and Francisco Conceicao also on the score sheet.
After a draw in Hungary in October and a surprise defeat in Ireland on Thursday, in which Ronaldo was sent off, Portugal wrapped up qualification at the third attempt in their final group match.
They will compete in a seventh consecutive edition of the World Cup, a tournament which the Euro 2016 champions are yet to win.
“We always want to win in the same way – to be convincing and control the game. It’s not always possible, but today we were effective and achieved a good victory,” said Fernandes.
With midfielder Fernandes playing a key role throughout, Portugal made a quick start by scoring in the seventh minute.
Fernandes’s vicious in swinging free-kick from just outside the left side of the box was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Henri Avagyan but Veiga was on hand to head home the rebound.
The visitors shocked the hosts by scoring on their first attack to equalise, with Grant-Leon Ranos crossing for Armenia captain Eduard Spertsyan to strike.
However, Portugal quickly stepped up a gear and racked up an unassailable lead. Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramos intercepted a back pass and squeezed home his country’s second after rounding Avagyan.
Portugal put together a tidy move for their third, with Neves blasting home from the edge of the box after being teed up by Fernandes.
Neves netted a spectacular second with a free-kick which flew into the top right corner, leaving Avagyan with no chance.
Fernandes netted the fifth in first half stoppage time with a low penalty after Ruben Dias was fouled.
The Manchester United midfielder continued where he left off after the break, slotting home his second after being fed by Ramos.
Fernandes completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after debutant substitute Carlos Forbs was felled.
Neves followed suit for Portugal’s eighth goal, smashing home after Veiga headed Fernandes’s cross into his path.
Juventus forward Conceicao added the ninth in stoppage time to seal one of his country’s biggest-ever victories.
“Now we can truly dream about the World Cup, I was very pleased with the players’ response (after the Ireland defeat),” said Martinez.
“We’re at the World Cup! Let’s go, Portugal!” wrote Ronaldo on social media platform X.
The striker could miss the start of the tournament depending on whether FIFA extend his suspension beyond the mandatory one-match ban he served against Armenia.
Ireland stunned Hungary with a late winner to triumph 3-2 in the other Group F match and reach the play-offs, with Troy Parrott following up his midweek brace against Portugal with a hat-trick.
• Lookman, Osimhen, Bassey listed
Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey have been included in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Best XI of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.
The selection was announced by CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG) after the tournament ended on Sunday. The trio played key roles in Nigeria’s campaign, which saw the Super Eagles finish third overall.
Tournament winners Senegal and finalists Morocco dominated the Best XI, with four players each making the final list.
According to CAF, the Team of the Tournament was selected through a comprehensive technical evaluation process. This involved both remote and on-site assessments, supported by live data platforms, multi-angle video footage and analysis by technical experts.
Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, led his country’s representation after conceding only two goals in seven matches. He was joined by teammates Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Brahim Díaz, who emerged as the tournament’s highest goal scorer.
Senegal’s representatives include defender Moussa Niakhaté, midfielders Pape Gueye and Idrissa Gueye, as well as forward Sadio Mané. Mané was also named Player of the Tournament following his decisive contributions to Senegal’s title-winning campaign.
Nigeria’s inclusion in the Best XI through Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen reflects the Super Eagles’ strong solidarity and competitive performance at the continental tournament.
Osimhen, the Galatasaray striker, was Nigeria’s top scorer at the tournament with an impressive four goals in six matches while Lookman grabbed four goals with an impressive four assists in six matches.
Fulham defender, Bassey, stood like a rock of Gibraltar in the heart of the Super Eagles’ defence and was even rewarded with the man of the Match Award in the il-fated match against hosts, Morocco in the semi-finals.
AFCON 2025 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco);Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal);Calvin Bassey (Nigeria);Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
Midfielders: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria); Pape Gueye (Senegal);Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
Forwards: Brahim Díaz (Morocco);Victor Osimhen (Nigeria); Sadio Mané (Senegal)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee have imposed severe sanctions on Algeria following the chaotic scenes that unfolded after their quarter-final defeat to Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), according to the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).
The sanctions affect players, the federation, and supporters involved in the incidents at the end of the match, which saw Nigeria defeat Algeria 2-0 to advance to the semi-finals.
Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of France football legend Zinedine Zidane, has been handed a two-match suspension.
Defender Rafik Belghali has received a four-match ban, two of which are suspended. All suspensions will be served during the CAN 2027 qualifiers, meaning the players will still be eligible to play in this summer’s World Cup.
The (FAF) were also fined a total of $100,000 for the misconduct of the national team, as well as the inappropriate behaviour of certain players, officials, and fans following the final whistle.
In response, the FAF have confirmed it will appeal the sanctions, emphasizing their commitment to defending the interests of Algerian football through institutional channels.
Real Madrid have confirmed the inclusion of Kylian Mbappe in their squad for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Manchester City, despite the French international being a doubt due to injury concerns.
The 26-year-old missed the club’s open training session on Tuesday, with reports in Spain suggesting he has a fractured finger.
He is also reportedly managing a knee issue, but his presence would be a major boost for head coach Xabi Alonso.
Going into this clash versus Pep’s Manchester City, Xabi Alonso’s future at Real Madrid has come under intense scrutiny after the team won just one of their last five La Liga matches, including an embarrassing 2-0 loss at home to Celta Vigo.
Recent forms and predictions have described Alonso’s chances of survival as “slim,” warning that a defeat to City at the Bernabeu on Wednesday could mark the end of his tenure, which began only this summer.
Mbappe has scored 25 goals across La Liga and the Champions League this season, but he went goalless as Real Madrid suffered defeat on Sunday.
Should he fail to start the match or even replicate his form, Xabi Alonso will be banking on the best of Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham and others.
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