Cristiano Ronaldo bags a brace as Portugal thrash Armenia 5-0 | OneFootball

Proving oneself as a champion involves millions of challenges. Rivals focus and enhance themselves to the maximum to surpass the reigning monarch. The squad of the reigning monarch, on the other hand, has two options: rest on the laurels of glory or, quite the opposite, experience an abstinence from that tempting taste and go in search of much more. Roberto Martínez's Portugal, captained by an eternally competitive Cristiano Ronaldo, shouted to the world that it wants to continue dominating at the highest level. That their triumph against Lamine Yamal's Spain becomes a healthy habit. And that the frustrating defeat against Greece in the Euro 2004 final or the disastrous World Cup performances are a thing of an unrecognizable past.

It was Denmark, Germany, and the aforementioned Red Fury in the UEFA Nations League. The new victim is called Armenia, a weak team coached by Yeghishe Melikyan, suffering from a defense more permissive than strong and an attack that was, frankly, not offensive at all.

They let stars shine who dedicated themselves to doing their thing. A brace from Cristiano, leader of the constellation, accompanied by two more goals from Joao Félix, his teammate at Al Nassr, and Joao Cancelo, the talented full-back currently at Al Hilal.

Each goal was better than the last. From a header almost inside the area by Joao, to a slight deflection by CR7 on an incisive cross from Pedro Neto, to the reappearance of the 'Bicho' with a right-footed shot from outside the area, and closing with an exquisite backheel from Félix himself for the final 5-0. Perhaps Cancelo's goal (a long-distance shot with the complicity of goalkeeper Henri Avagyan) was the least impressive, although it was later dedicated to Diogo Jota, making it worthwhile.

Martínez's orchestra began playing at the beginning of the year and, in its first presentation of the European Qualifiers, has once again shown football fans that they should consider it a favorite for the 2026 World Cup. The great individual Portuguese talents have finally come together, creating one of the most formidable elevens of today. There is reason to be hopeful. Cristiano, little by little, begins to dream...

Armenia: Henri Avagyan; Erik Piloyan, Georgiy Harutyunyan, Sergey Muradyan, Nair Tiknizyan; Kamo Hovhannisyan, Ugochukwu Iwu, Eduard Spertszyan, Vahan Bichakhchyan; Tigran Barseghyan, Lucas Zelarayán.

Portugal: Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Félix.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.