Armenia 2-3 Portugal: Ronaldo hat-trick denies Armenia | OneFootball

Armenia 2-3 Portugal

In a disjointed and comprehensively underwhelming performance, the Seleção maintained their position atop their Euro 2016 qualifying group with a 3-2 victory over a plucky Armenia team that needed to win to continue their hopes of qualification.

Instead, Portugal won for the first time ever in Yerevan despite having to play a man down for nearly a half hour after Tiago was dismissed. Portugal’s talisman once again snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, captain Cristiano Ronaldo completing his hat trick performance with a sensational long range effort.

A full house greeted the Portuguese national team in the Armenian capital, and all eyes were focused on Santos’ squad selection. But the matchday lineup was almost entirely unchanged from the version that faced Serbia in March with Vieirinha taking the place of José Bosingwa. Eliseu surprisingly retained his slot at left-back with Coentrão in a midfield trio with Tiago and João Moutinho while Quaresma found himself second favorite to Danny.

The match didn’t begin particularly well for the visitors as Armenia proved willing to press the issue early on. An uncertain touch from Ricardo Carvalho nearly allowed Ghazarian through, but Patrício was out quickly to smother the danger. Carvalho justified his inclusion in the squad minutes later, however, when he executed a trademark sliding tackle to clear Mkhitaryan’s excellent through ball.

Armenia take shock lead

But the Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s influence was growing and some neat passing play drew a foul from Bruno Alves about 30 yards from goal in the 14th minute. Brazilian born Marcos Pizelli stepped up to take the free kick and surprised everyone in the park, perhaps even himself, by unleashing a thunderbolt into the top right corner. Rui Patrício could only look on as he was clearly expecting a cross into the box.

Portugal’s efforts to carve open opportunities were limited by a combination of poor passing and disciplined defending from the hosts. But their fortunes changed when Moutinho was brought down by Mkhitaryan at the top of the penalty area after running onto a loose ball. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and sent Berezovsky the wrong way from the penalty spot to equalize in the 29th minute for Portugal, his 53rd international goal.

The hosts continued to come forward and Mkhitaryan was at the centre of it all when he burst through down the right, his cross cleared with difficulty as Portugal’s defence again looked uncertain. Portugal’s midfield finally began to build meaningful possession at the end of the first half, and Coentrão brought a diving save out of Berezovsky in stoppage time, but it was generally a lackluster performance from the Seleção in the opening 45 minutes.

Ronaldo to the rescue

No changes were made at the interval by Santos, and Armenia were on the front foot again as Portugal continued to allow the hosts time and space on the ball. Pizelli fired just over in 54th minute after more good work from Mkhitaryan. But all their good work was undone minutes later when Ronaldo capitalized on some indecision in the Armenian backline, nicking in front of Arzumanyan to chip the ball over the top of the onrushing Berezovsky. Even so, it must be said that the 2-1 scoreline flattered the Seleção.

But if there was any doubt about Portugal’s team performance, there could be no doubt about Cristiano Ronaldo’s contribution. A simple long ball over the top was brilliantly controlled by the Portugal captain, who took three touches before searing the back of the net with a brutal finish from every bit of 30 yards. The ferocity of the strike stunned the home crowd in a way that only Portugal’s Number Seven can do, a masterpiece of a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Things got more interesting with half an hour left to play when Tiago was given his marching orders after picking up his second yellow of the match ending a dismal evening for the Atletico Madrid midfielder. Santos responded by hooking Danny for William Carvalho.

Armenia pile on the pressure

The hosts searched diligently for an opening, and earned a series of corner kicks that troubled Portugal’s defence. Substitute Orbilliz eventually fired in a shot that Rui Patrício carelessly spilled at the feet of Mkoyan, who pulled a goal back for the hosts with a finish from close range. Adrien Silva was immediately sent on for Fabio Coentrão as Portugal looked to recover their control of the match. José Fonte came on in place of Ricardo Carvalho in the 79th minute, earning his 3rd cap.

Ronaldo nearly had a fourth goal when he mishit a free kick from Nani in the 81st minute. Nani had a go at goal himself minutes later when a simple ball across the face of goal to Ronaldo might have been a better option.

Ultimately, Portugal were able to grind out the result that their overall performance perhaps didn’t deserve. On the other hand, in spite of a very poor match from Tiago, Rui Patrício, and Danny, the Seleção were still able to secure victory. With only three matches left in qualifying, Portugal appear to have sealed up qualification to Euro 2016, but it must be said that much work will be needed, including changes to the squad, before the Seleção are able to compete against the very best in the world.

Portugal: Rui Patrício, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho (Jose Fonte, 78’), Eliseu, Vierinha, João Moutinho, Tiago, Fábio Coentrão (Adrien Silva, 74’), Nani, Danny (William Carvalho, 63’), Cristiano Ronaldo

Armenia: Roman Berezovsky, Gael Andonin, Robert Arzumanyan, Kamo Hovhannisyan (Aras Ozbilliz, 61’), Hrayr Mkoyan, Levon Hayrapetyan, Karlen Mkrtchain (Rumyan Hovsepyan, 29’), Marcos Pizelli, Gevorg Ghazarian, Henrik Mkhitaryan, Artur Sarkisov (Ruslan Korian, 74’)