Is Cristiano Ronaldo enjoying? That’s the query on everybody’s thoughts as Portugal prepares to open their 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign with an away journey to Armenia. For Roberto Martinez’s males, it’s greater than only a match—it’s the begin of a journey towards the one trophy lacking from their rising assortment.
However for Portugal, this worldwide break carries a deeper weight. The passing of ahead Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a automobile accident in June left a gap within the squad, and Saturday’s conflict on the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium guarantees to be as emotional as it’s aggressive.
The hosts enter the fixture in a interval of transition. After failing to win any of his first 4 video games, Dutch coach John van ’t Schip was sacked and changed by Armenian supervisor Yegishe Melikyan. His activity is monumental: Armenia is at present ranked one hundred and fifth in FIFA’s world rankings and has by no means certified for a World Cup as an unbiased nation.
Nonetheless, there are sparks of hope. Inventive midfielder Lucas Zelarayan and ahead Eduard Spertsyan, who has scored three targets in his final two outings, will look to bother Portugal’s backline. However with captain Varazdat Haroyan retiring in June and accidents to key gamers equivalent to Narek Grigoryan, Armenia will want a near-perfect show to upset their illustrious opponents.
Portugal’s emotional return
For Portugal, Saturday marks their first match since lifting the UEFA Nations League title in June, beating Spain on penalties to safe their third main trophy in 9 years. That triumph, added to their Euro 2016 success, has elevated expectations that they will lastly conquer the world stage subsequent 12 months within the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
But qualification is way from a formality. Portugal has required a playoff in three of the final 4 World Cups, one thing Martinez shall be determined to keep away from this time. Group F, which incorporates Hungary and the Republic of Eire, must be navigable—however provided that they begin robust.
Armenia vs Portugal: Predicted lineups
And so, to the query each fan requested: Is Cristiano Ronaldo enjoying? The reply is sure. At 40 years outdated, the world’s all-time main worldwide scorer stays central to the Lusos’ plans. Ronaldo enters the match with 5 targets in 4 video games in opposition to Armenia, together with that well-known hat-trick in 2015. He has additionally begun the brand new season brightly with two targets for Al-Nassr, and Martinez clearly values each his management and his goalscoring instincts.
Portugal’s anticipated XI is stacked with high quality. In accordance with studies, they are going to line up in a 4-3-3: Costa; Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Antonio Silva, Mendes; Fernandes, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva; Francisco Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto.
Armenia’s anticipated XI (5-4-1): Cancarevic; Hovhannisyan, Mkrtchyan, Arutyunyan, Muradyan, Tiknizyan; Bichakhchyan, Iwu, Dashyan, Zelarayan; Barseghyan.
