Armenia conceded 9 goals to Portugal in the final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifying

The Armenian national team suffered a heavy defeat against Portugal in the last round of Group F in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The match, held on November 16 in Porto, ended 1–9.

This came close to Armenia's biggest defeat in history — 0–9 against Norway in 2022 — but matched the 1–9 loss to Italy in 2019.

Armenia’s only goal was scored by Eduard Spertsyan in the 18th minute after a precise assist from Grant-Leon Ranos. His goal equalized the score at 1–1, but soon Portugal seized control and unleashed a real goal avalanche on Henri Avagyan’s net.

The hosts produced three hat-tricks: Bruno Fernandes and João Neves each scored three, while Renato Veiga, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição added one goal apiece.

For Portugal, this victory was decisive — the team secured first place in the group and a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

The battle for second place was decided in dramatic fashion in the Hungary vs Ireland match. At 2–2, Hungary was holding the necessary result, but in the 96th minute Troy Parrott scored his third goal, giving Ireland a 3–2 win and sending them into the playoffs.

Final Group F standings:
Portugal — 13 points
Ireland — 10
Hungary — 8
Armenia — 3

Portugal qualifies directly for the World Cup, Ireland advances to the playoffs, while Hungary and Armenia finish their campaigns. The next official matches for Armenia and Hungary will take place in September 2026 in the 2026/27 Nations League, followed by the Euro 2028 qualifying cycle.

Armenia national team lineup:

Henri Avagyan — Kamo Hovhannisyan, Sergey Muradyan (82' Artyom Bandikyan), Erik Piloyan (55' Gevorg Harutyunyan), Stepa Mkrtchyan, Nair Tiknizyan — Karen Muradyan, Eduard Spertsyan (C), Narek Agasaryan (46' Edgar Sevikyan) — Grant-Leon Ranos (65' Araik Eloyan), Artur Serobyan (46' Zhirayr Shagoyan).

Artyom Bandikyan made his debut for the national team, and Narek Agasaryan started for the first time.

Yeghishe Melikyan after Portugal: “It was very painful. We are not yet ready to play at this level”