Portugal defeated Armenia 9-1. Cristiano Ronaldo was suspended but his offensive firepower was fully unleashed. He advanced to the top of the group

In the 6th round of Group F of the European Group Stage of the World Cup preliminaries, Cristiano Ronaldo was absent. Portugal beat Armenia 9-1. The Dragon Stadium witnessed this hearty game. Vega and Spezyan scored in the first half. After the score was tied, Ramos, Neves, Joao Neves, and B Fee scored successively. Portugal made the game lose suspense in the first half, which also surprised those who were worried about the team's elimination.

In fact, it’s not a big deal that Cristiano Ronaldo was given a red card in the last round and was destined to miss this life-and-death battle, because the team’s lineup is stronger than its opponents, and a game with no retreat can actually stimulate the players’ fighting spirit. This game has indeed blossomed a lot. In the second half, B Felix and Joao Neves both completed hat tricks. In stoppage time, Felix assisted Conceicao to score, helping Portugal also advance to the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup as the group leader.

This game was fought in the rain. The 9 goals not only set the record for the largest point difference in a single game in the European preliminaries of this World Cup, but also demonstrated the strength of the team's offensive system. From the technical statistics, Portugal completed 22 shots, 10 shots on target, and the ball possession rate was as high as 62%. After being equalized by Armenia in the first half, the team scored 4 goals in just 22 minutes, showing a strong ability to adjust. Ramos took advantage of the opponent's return error to break the deadlock. João Neves' long shot and free kick completely defeated the defense. B Fee's penalty kick brought the first half to a perfect end.

Portugal did not slow down in the second half. B Fee's volley and penalty kick completed a hat trick. Joao Neves' volley goal replicated the miracle of the "double hat trick" and became a rare double hat trick in the history of the European World Cup preliminaries. In stoppage time, Conceicao's ground-breaking strike not only sealed the score at 9-1, but also highlighted the team's depth advantage. This multi-point offensive model stems from the team's continuous high-pressure pressure on the opponent's backcourt. Armenia's two fatal mistakes (return own goal, interception in front of the penalty area) are both direct results of high-pressure tactics.

The most dazzling light in this game belongs to the twin star combination of B Fee and Joao Neves. The two each completed a hat trick and became the biggest contributor to Portugal's advancement. B Fee not only scored 3 goals (1 volley + 2 penalty kicks), but also provided key assists, showing the comprehensiveness of the midfield commander. Ramos, who delivered shells to him in the 51st minute, benefited from B Fee's containment and distribution of the ball in the frontcourt; and in the 81st minute, the cross from the left that assisted Neves to complete a hat trick reflected his precise passing vision. As the team's vice-captain, B Fee took up the offensive banner when Ronaldo was suspended, and proved his core value with a perfect performance of 3 goals and 1 assist.

The 20-year-old Joao Neves made a name for himself in the first game of his career. He scored three goals of different types including long shots, free kicks, and volleys, showing his calmness and skills beyond his age. The free kick in the 41st minute made the world wave. The ball bypassed the wall and hit the upper right corner. Goalkeeper Avayan had no reaction. The volley in the 81st minute was a very difficult turn and volley in the rainy and slippery conditions, which demonstrated his solid basic skills and competition mentality. The rise of this young midfielder has added new vitality to Portugal's midfield configuration and also made the team's World Cup prospects more imaginative.

The 4-3-3 formation arranged by the coach showed great adaptability and lethality in this game. On the offensive end, Leo and Cancelo's wing breakthroughs created a constant threat. Ramos played an obvious role as a fulcrum in the middle (1 goal and 1 assist). The midfield duo composed of B Fee and Neves controlled the rhythm, forming a three-dimensional attack of wing pulling + center penetration + long shot threat. On the defensive end, the backline led by Dias quickly adjusted after losing ground in the opening 18 minutes, allowing Armenia only 3 shots on target in the game.

It is worth noting that Portugal’s high-pressure pressing tactics have achieved remarkable results. The consecutive goals in the 28th and 30th minutes of the first half were all due to the accurate prediction and siege of Armenia's backcourt ball. This rapid transition from defense to offense is the core competitiveness of modern football. In addition, the team's set-piece tactics have also become a scoring tool. Joao Neves' free kick and B Fee's penalty kick reflect the team's full preparation in details.

This victory allowed Portugal to directly advance to the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup as the top spot in Group F, locking in a place in the top 16. The stable output of B Fee and the rise of young players such as Joao Neves have greatly improved the depth and competitiveness of Portugal's lineup. Even if Ronaldo misses a subsequent game, it will not prevent the team from winning.