Portugal vs Armenia - Player Ratings | OneFootball

Portugal lineup versus Armenia at the Estádio do Dragão (Photo: FPF)

The Seleção unleashed all its pent-up fury on Armenia at the Dragão to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The remarkable 9-1 scoreline featured hat tricks from both Bruno Fernandes and João Neves while Gonçalo Ramos put in an excellent shift in Cristiano’s absence. Carlos Forbs made his debut, winning a second half penalty, and Portugal concluded the 2025 season of international play on a very high note indeed.

Attention now shifts to next month’s group stage draw….

Diogo Costa – 6/10

Had practically nothing to do whatsoever except pick the ball out of his own net in the first half and catch a poorly struck effort from Muradyan on 59’. Much more will be asked of him at the World Cup, but no miscues tonight.

Nélson Semedo – 7

Replays showed him ball watching to allow Spertsyan to run right by him onto Ranos’ cross for Armenia’s goal. Made better progress going forward, displaying excellent close control to begin the move resulting in Portugal’s third on the night. Showed his pace, completing 57/57 passes and assisting Neves’ final goal, yet it still seems very much in doubt who starts at RB for Portugal.

Renato Veiga – 7.5

Showed up right-place-right-time to head the rebound of Bruno’s free kick in for his first international goal then nutmegged in build-up to Armenia's reply. Won a match-best 5 headers and made a vital 38’ block to end Armenia’s attempt to close the gap. Assisted Neves for Portugal’s 8th on the night. Overall his metrics were much better this match and Veiga needed this to give him confidence of seeing more time alongside Dias in the World Cup.

Rúben Dias – 7

You could see him trying to stretch Armenia with a few long balls over the top. Was he slightly out of position and unable to reach the cross before Armenia’s equaliser? Made a good backpost run and was hauled down to win a penalty which put the match well out of reach before halftime. But he didn’t have to be at his best, did he? A remark the well-learned supporter should keep in mind after a match like this one.

João Cancelo – 6

Just a little nutmeg in the 15’ to remind the visitors what he can do, but Portugal supporters will be far more concerned by how easily Ranos shrugged off his attempted challenge to put in the cross for Spertsyan. His deflected strike bounced off the upright in the 45’. Blazed over just after half-time and visibly annoyed Bruno took the second PK instead of him. Still get the sense he’s a bit lost on the left side of defence but his physicality, defensive technique and positional awareness will be tested next summer by stronger opponents – and everyone knows it.

João Neves – 9.5

Take a bow, son. You can see it happening - Vitiniha dictates play and Neves adds just a dash of the spectacular. Put in good defensive work all evening. Superb effort into the bottom left corner from edge of the penalty area but his sumptuous free kick off the underside of the crossbar reveal a player whose confidence and skill will be crucial to Portugal’s World Cup campaign. Completed his hat-trick with a sweeping off balance finish. Sensational from the PSG man.

Bruno Fernandes – 10, PortuGOAL.net’s Man of the Match

Took some doing to top João Neves but Bruno was simply magnificent. Came back into the team and hardly put a foot wrong to show supporters why he’s a guaranteed starter. Got into an excellent position to receive Bernardo’s cross early on, his outstanding free kick tucked just inside the left upright was deflected to Veiga and in to start the show. Trademark layoff for Neves to score Portugal’s third. Registered 8 key passes with tricks and flicks throughout including a cheeky ‘rabona’ cross showing how technically underrated he is. Finished off a sweeping move for Portugal’s sixth and added two penalties to complete his hat-trick. If there still exists questioning whether he or Bernardo should start, Bruno put the conclusion beyond doubt with this performance.

Bruno Fernandes was back to his very best against Armenia (Photo: FPF)

Bernardo Silva – 6

Apart from the acrobatic attempt to push Bruno’s cross just wide in the 40’ and a couple of key passes, Bernardo was fairly quiet yet again. Not awful, just overshadowed by Neves and Bruno especially. No surprise he was among the first substituted, and when Neto returns, competition may exclude him from this XI.

Vitinha – 6.5

Pedestrian by his high standards. Some nerves early on with an unusually off-the-mark pass in the 13’, Vitinha was involved in the build-up to Portugal’s third. Missed wide left in the 67’ showed Vitinha could use a bit more composure in front of goal at times. Removed a bit earlier than usual to finish with 93% passing on 96 touches.

Rafael Leão – 6

Played a good ball for Ramos on 5’ and an even better cross in the 20’ which Ramos should have scored from. Put in a bit more work defensively in this match but could not get into high gear tonight. Three key passes but just 72% pass completion. Shot straight at the keeper when well-positioned minutes after halftime and made way for Carlos Forbs early in the second half.

Gonçalo Ramos – 8

The agonizing miss in the 20’ could have affected his confidence but Ramos persisted and found his reward in the 29’ to steal onto Serobyan’s poor back pass. Assisted Portugal’s sixth on the night, Ramos was not as crisp on the ball as you might like, but did reasonably well with the meagre amount of touches afforded him. Stepping in for Cristiano is never easy and Ramos did everything required of him. Should he or Ronaldo start going forward? May the reader be a better judge.

Substitutes

Francisco Conceição – 7

Good work latching onto Bruno’s long ball and cut in from the right but his shot lacked pace and precision. Completed two dribbles and just missed adding to Armenia’s woes in the 85’ then found the finishing touch in stoppage time as the deluge continued in Porto.

Carlos Forbs – 6.5

Made an excellent first move to step across the path of the defender when receiving a 71’ throughball to win a penalty. Not a very efficient passer, but got forward into good positions in what became a very low pressure introduction to the senior side. He is very new to the scene but the left wing role is still wide open. Could Forbs be that man?

João Félix – 6

Really should have scored in the 88’ after being set up beautifully by Bruno.

Matheus Nunes – 6

Will hope to be more involved in this set-up, especially with Cancelo and other fullbacks struggling for form.

Rúben Neves – 6

Took good care of the ball and had a shot bounce back off the frame of the goal. Very hard to envision him in the starting XI with tonight’s group available.