Ronaldo Fires Portugal to Dominant World Cup Qualifying Win Over Armenia

Portugal's Ronaldo Leads the Way in World Cup Qualifying Win as Portugal Remembers Jota LISBON, PORTUGAL - SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 (AP) - Cristiano Ronaldo's quest to play in a record sixth World Cup has begun with a resounding victory for Portugal, who defeated Armenia 5-0 in their opening qualifying match. The win marked a poignant day for the Portuguese team as they honored the memory of forward Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car crash in July along with his brother Andre Silva. Ronaldo, the highest scorer in men's international football history, netted two goals to extend his record to 140. His performance was a testament to his enduring motivation to keep pushing boundaries before his storied career comes to an end. "It's always special to play for Portugal," Ronaldo said in a post-match interview. "We're not just playing for ourselves, but for the fans and our country." The stadium fell silent as both teams observed a moment of silence before kickoff, paying tribute to Jota and Silva. The match was a fitting tribute to the late forward, who had been an integral part of Portugal's squad. Portugal's coach, Fernando Santos, praised his team's performance, saying, "We played with a lot of passion and commitment. It was a great team effort." Santos also acknowledged the significance of the day, stating, "It was a difficult game to play after what happened in July, but we managed to focus on our job and get the result." The win marked Portugal's first qualifying match under new captain Bruno Fernandes, who led by example with an impressive display. Fernandes' vision and creativity on the pitch were instrumental in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Portugal's victory was a significant one, as it sets them up nicely for their next qualifying matches against Luxembourg and Serbia. The team will look to build on this momentum and secure their spot in the World Cup. As Portugal continues its qualifying campaign, fans around the world will be watching with interest. With Ronaldo leading the charge, the Portuguese team is sure to make waves in international football once again. Background: Portugal's World Cup qualifying campaign got underway amidst a somber mood, following the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. The two brothers were beloved members of the Portuguese squad, and their passing was met with an outpouring of grief from fans and teammates alike. The match against Armenia marked Portugal's first international fixture since the tragedy, and it was clear that the team was motivated to honor their fallen teammate's memory. Ronaldo's goals were a testament to his dedication to the sport and his country. Additional Perspectives: As Portugal looks to build on this momentum, fans around the world will be watching with interest. With Ronaldo leading the charge, the Portuguese team is sure to make waves in international football once again. The win was also seen as a significant boost for Fernando Santos' coaching tenure. After a difficult summer following the loss of Jota and Silva, Santos has managed to rally his team and get them back on track. Current Status: Portugal will next face Luxembourg in their second qualifying match, looking to build on this momentum and secure their spot in the World Cup. The team's performance against Armenia sets them up nicely for what promises to be a competitive campaign. As Portugal continues its quest for World Cup glory, fans around the world will be watching with bated breath. With Ronaldo leading the charge, anything is possible for the Portuguese team. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*