Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his enduring brilliance as Portugal opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Armenia.
The 39-year-old forward scored twice, taking his international tally to 140 and moving within one goal of Carlos Ruiz’s all-time World Cup qualifying record of 39.
Joao Felix contributed a brace while Joao Cancelo also found the net, signalling Portugal’s early intent in Group F under coach Roberto Martínez.
The Republic of Ireland staged a thrilling comeback to draw 2-2 against Hungary in Dublin.
Hungary raced ahead with early goals from Barnabas Varga and Roland Sallai. Evan Ferguson halved the deficit shortly after the break.
Sallai’s dismissal paved the way for a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser. Adam Idah headed home to rescue a point for Ireland.
Austria & Bosnia Maintain Momentum
In Group H, Austria kept their perfect start alive with a 1-0 victory over Cyprus. Marcel Sabitzer scored a penalty after Christoph Baumgartner was fouled.
Bosnia and Herzegovina continued their strong form, dismantling San Marino 6-0, with Edin Dzeko scoring a quick double in the second half. The win ensured Bosnia maintained a three-point lead at the top of the group.
England remained unbeaten in Group K under coach Thomas Tuchel, defeating Andorra 2-0. Christian Garcia’s own goal and Declan Rice’s header secure England’s win over Andorra.
Serbia also recorded a narrow 1-0 victory in Latvia, with Dusan Vlahovic’s early strike proving decisive despite late pressure from the hosts.
Portugal, England, Austria and Bosnia delivered strong performances in the opening UEFA qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Ireland provided late drama, making the start of the campaign intense and promising an exciting road to next year’s tournament.
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