Portugal remembers Jota as Ronaldo leads means in World Cup win in Armenia | Soccer Information

Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice in a 5-0 World Cup qualifying win in Armenia as Portugal keep in mind Diogo Jota.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest to play in a report sixth World Cup has begun in typical trend with two targets as Portugal made a profitable begin to its qualifying marketing campaign by routing Armenia 5-0.

The match on Saturday marked a poignant day for the Portuguese because it was their first worldwide fixture because the dying of their ahead Diogo Jota in a automotive crash in July alongside along with his brother Andre Silva.

The stadium fell quiet as each groups noticed a second of silence earlier than kickoff.

Ronaldo’s targets prolonged his report as the very best scorer in males’s worldwide soccer to 140 and underlined his enduring motivation to maintain setting extra benchmarks earlier than his storied profession involves an finish.

The 40-year-old soccer nice has just lately signed a brand new contract with Saudi Arabian membership Al Nassr and led Portugal to victory on the UEFA Nations League in June.

The World Cup is the one main trophy that eludes him – leaving him behind his nice rival Lionel Messi, 38, who lifted soccer’s greatest prize with Argentina in 2022.

Subsequent yr would doubtless be Ronaldo’s final likelihood to win it when the event is staged in america, Canada and Mexico. Like him, Messi would even be taking part in at a sixth World Cup, setting the pair aside from some other gamers with a bunch of names having appeared in 5.

Ronaldo – a five-time Champions League winner, who additionally lifted the European Championship trophy along with his nation – struck in every half on the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium as Portugal made a flying begin in Group F.

Joao Felix additionally scored twice and hit the opening purpose after simply 10 minutes. Portugal cruised thereafter.

Joao Cancelo was the opposite scorer, slotting in his facet’s third purpose. He marked his first-half strike by pointing to the skies with each arms in remembrance of Jota’s trademark celebration.

“I beforehand talked about that the preparation was good as was the gamers’ behaviour and the work they put in over the previous few days,” Portugal supervisor Roberto Martinez mentioned afterwards. “Now we have to get well effectively. The Hungary match [on Tuesday] can be one other problem.”

Martinez added his ideas on Ronaldo’s purpose within the twenty first minute – the identical quantity worn by Jota on his jersey for membership and nation. “The sign to attain within the twenty first minute is from our Diogo,” he mentioned.

England beat Andorra to keep up profitable report

England maintained its 100% report in qualifying with a 2-0 win in opposition to Andorra at Villa Park.

Thomas Tuchel’s staff is high of Group Ok with 4 straight wins after an personal purpose from Christian Garcia and a Declan Rice header.

Whereas Ronaldo additional gilded his report, Harry Kane was left pissed off as England did not persuade once more below Tuchel.

A 1-0 win in opposition to Andorra in June was described by one British newspaper as England’s “worst ever”. It was then adopted by a 3-1 residence loss in opposition to Senegal in a pleasant earlier than the tip of the season.

Tuchel made 10 modifications to his squad, and whereas there was an enchancment, England nonetheless needed to toil in opposition to the 174th-ranked Andorrans.

It took Garcia to open the scoring when inadvertently glancing Noni Madueke’s inswinging cross into his personal internet within the twenty fifth minute.

England created extra possibilities after the break, and Andorra goalkeeper Iker Alvarez made two positive saves from shut vary to disclaim Eberechi Eze and Elliott Anderson.

Rice headed in on the far submit within the 67th from Reece James’s cross.

Kane, England’s all-time main scorer, couldn’t lengthen his report. His greatest likelihood got here when failing to attach with James’s first-half cross with an open internet to intention at.

Additionally in Group Ok, Serbia beat Latvia 1-0 to maneuver as much as second within the desk. England play Serbia on Tuesday.