Portugal's national football team showcased remarkable leadership and skill in their 9-1 victory over Armenia, despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. Roberto Martinez praised his players for stepping
up after Ronaldo's red card in a previous 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland. This win secured Portugal's spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Questions arose about Portugal's goal-scoring ability without Ronaldo, but Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves both delivered hat-tricks. Renato Veiga, Goncalo Ramos, and Francisco Conceicao also contributed to the scoreline. Fernandes achieved his first international treble, while Neves scored his inaugural goals for Portugal, marking their largest World Cup qualifying win.
Martinez emphasized that leadership extends beyond a single player like Ronaldo. He highlighted the contributions of Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva as crucial to the team's success. "When we talk about players individually, it's not just about Ronaldo, it's about everyone," Martinez stated.
The coach noted that public opinion often focuses on Ronaldo's presence or absence. However, he stressed the importance of collective competitiveness within the team. "One thing is the popular, street debate, and another is the competitiveness in the locker room," he explained.
Portugal demonstrated their depth by winning without key players like Nuno Mendes and Pedro Neto. Martinez acknowledged that having multiple options is vital for success when important players are unavailable. "We have many options, and it's important to win when important players aren't with us," he said.
The upcoming World Cup will be Portugal's tenth appearance and seventh consecutive participation. The tournament in North America might be Ronaldo's last major international event. Portugal aims to surpass their best finish from 1966 when they secured third place.
Aiming for World Cup Glory
Martinez expressed his ambition to lead Portugal to victory in 2026. He believes that preparation and resilience are key to achieving this goal. "I can explain with a desire to win the game, and not know how," he said, emphasizing the need for unity and talent on the field.
The coach acknowledged that winning the World Cup is challenging but remains optimistic about Portugal's potential. "We will try to win the World Cup. It has never been done, and it is not easy," he concluded.
