Portugal crushed Armenia on Sunday in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. With a hat-trick from Joao Neves in particular, the Selecçao won 9-1. A not so common offensive festival.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo took on his first international cap in 2003, Portugal has only reached this total of nine goals scored twice. Against Armenia this weekend, therefore, and on September 11, 2023 against Luxembourg (9-0), for qualifying for Euro 2024.
An embarrassed coach
However, in both cases, CR7, in fact, was not there. This is due to a suspension. The coincidence is perhaps not one if we are to believe the confession to L’Equipe by former Luxembourg international Maxime Chanot. At the time, the late Diogo Jota, author of a double that day, had confided to him: “
It’s the only match without Cristiano, we have to show that we can do without him… »
Today, coach Roberto Martinez cautiously raises this question of a possible hackneyed Ronaldo-dependence in front of the press. “ When he scores, we are asked what we will do when he is no longer there. And when he doesn’t play and we win, we say we don’t need him anymore… »
