Armenia 0-5 Portugal - Portugal Player Ratings | OneFootball

Portugal flexed its Nations League-champion muscle to begin World Cup qualifying with an emphatic victory in Yerezvan. Message delivered to the world: Portugal’s ruthless pursuit of its first-ever World Cup trophy is underway! João Cancelo and João Félix were brilliant in their return to the side after unrelated absences while Cristiano Ronaldo painfully reminded the home crowd of something they might have wished to forget from over a decade ago.

Portugal’s players observe the minute’s silence pre-match in honour of Diogo Jota. (Photo: Diogo Pinto/FPF)

Nathan Motz was on hand to grade some excellent individual performances.

Starters

Diogo Costa – 7

Very difficult to rate a player who only touched the ball 11 times in the first half. Finally made his first save of the night in the 63’ then made a smart save to his left from a 66’ free kick. Well-positioned to make his best stop of the night on 69’.

Nuno Mendes – 7

Very subdued in the first half and one can only speculate how Cancelo’s free-wheeling style down the right took a lot of pressure off him. For the first time in a while, he did not need to be otherworldly. Did miss a golden chance to score in first half stoppage time when a Cancelo cross just missed his outstretched boot from point blank range. Defensively reliable as always.

Gonçalo Inácio - 7

Not always comfortable when being chased down or in 1v1s, but against this level of opposition he did what was required. Three clearances and good involvement building attacks from the back on 95 touches. Questions about his pace are hard to ignore, however.

Rúben Dias – 6.5

Like his partner, was only ever asked to perform the mundane but for a national side which has historically laboured against the minnows of world football, Dias was tidy in his responsibilities and his side’s best tackler on the night.

João Cancelo – 9, PortuGOAL.net’s Man of the Match

Cancelo’s absence from the Seleção was met with mixed reactions. Was he toxic? Would he even return after his much-criticized move to Saudi Arabia? Whatever the merits or demerits of these inquiries, Cancelo definitively reminded all he is still a great footballer. Superb trickery to put his marker on the ground and cross for Félix’s opener in the 10’. A real menace alongside Neto, was presented an easy ball at the edge of the penalty area after Ronaldo’s shot was deflected, hitting a well-struck effort beyond the keeper - just reward for an excellent performance. Added four key passes, including an assist, and the third-most touches of any player. Finally, an excellent complement for Nuno Mendes…will it last?

João Cancelo did the Diogo Jota celebration after scoring (Photo: Diogo Pinto/FPF)

João Neves – 7.5

Did a little of this and a little of that all evening, the harder-running Yang to Vitinha’s Yin. Two dribbles, a key pass, two clearances, 96% passing. At 20 years old, he seems so accomplished yet so far removed from his considerably high ceiling potential. His deft header in the 88’ drew the best save of the night from Avagyan.

Vitinha – 8

Blink and you might have missed it - Vitinha’s elegant, understated stewardship of a match not requiring his usual sorcery. Constantly on the ball but only to create opportunities for others to be spectacular. Completed 92/93 passes, great vision to cross for PSG teammate João Neves in the 88’, perhaps the only point this evening he felt the need to announce himself above a whisper.

Bruno Fernandes – 7

Match passed him by in the first half mostly because of Neves and Vitinha’s methodical regulation of play around him. Awakened some in the second half, hitting the bar after good work from Cristiano then misplaced a shot wide left of Avagyan’s goal. Added four key passes and took better care of the ball than normal in a dominant team performance.

Pedro Neto – 7.5

Only played the first half due to Portugal’s dominance. Some great bursts of pace and created Portugal’s second of the night with an outstanding ball for Cristiano. Completing 27/28 passes, he and Cancelo completely destabilized Armenia’s defensive effort. Lovely to have another accurate provider for Cristiano besides Nuno Mendes but no shots? Needs to add ruthlessness to his game.

João Félix – 8.5

Controversially included but there was little to complain about regarding his performance. A fantastic headed finish which he may well have learned from his more illustrious Al Nassr teammate to open the scoring. Showed he can weave through traffic in the 31’, playing lovely 1-2s with Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes to nearly score a fantastic goal. Wonderful scorpion-kick finish on the run to notch Portugal’s fifth of the night. Two key passes, three total shots and great involvement. Needs to add more maturity in possession, but he has given Martínez plenty to think about.

João Félix heads in Portugal’s opening goal. (Photo: Diogo Pinto/FPF)

Cristiano Ronaldo – 8

Signaled early intent with an effort straight at the keeper in the 3’ and nearly played in Félix in the 9’. Pounced on a lovely Neto cross in the 21’ for Portugal’s second on the night then rekindled the spirit of his 2015 display (when he hit a hat-trick in front of the same audience during Euro 2016 qualifying) by blasting in a laser guided missile from 30 yards on the half volley - his 140th international goal. Eight total shots, 18/18 passes completed, just 31 touches. Timeless.

Substitutes

Trincão – 6.5

Nearly danced through to score a spectacular goal in the 56’, added a key pass and looked confident on the ball. A bit untidy in possession.

Gonçalo Ramos – 6.5

Good cut back for Félix to finish theatrically. Added two shots and a key pass with 90% pass completion, but the lad needs a goal to build confidence on this stage. He cannot and will not remain a perpetual first choice sub for club and country.

Nuno Tavares – 6

Clearly needs more time in this squad to build confidence, but no bad mistakes this time around.

Pedro Goncalves – 6.5

Good interplay with Ramos, but blazed over after bursting free down the left, but there was little left to do with the game so well-won by the time he came on.