Having fluffed two opportunities to confirm their place in the 2026 World Cup, Portugal will hope third time is the charm when they host Armenia for their final qualifying outing on Sunday.
Roberto Martinez’s men will confirm top spot in Group F with a win, but a draw could also suffice, depending on Hungary’s result against the Republic of Ireland in the other group fixture.
Portugal preview
Portugal were expected to go into Sunday’s clash against Armenia with a World Cup berth already secured.
However, Roberto Martinez’s men fell to a 2-0 defeat against Ireland on Sunday thanks to Troy Parrott’s first-half double at the Aviva Stadium.
That was a first defeat for the Nations League champions since March, but it has not proven fatal in their quest for World Cup qualification.
Portugal have not gone three games without a win in four years and will fancy themselves to return to winning ways this weekend despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was dismissed last time out.
Sunday’s hosts have come out on top in each of the last four meetings against the visitors and are unbeaten in seven previous clashes overall.
Armenia preview
Armenia were beaten 5-0 by Portugal when the teams last met in September’s opening qualifying matchup, but responded with a 2-1 victory over Ireland shortly afterwards.
They have been unable to gather any momentum in their quest for a maiden World Cup tournament off the back of three consecutive defeats, during which they have failed to score.
Yeghishe Melikyan’s men came away empty-handed from their most recent outing against Hungary, where Barnabas Varga’s strike proved to be the decisive moment in a 1-0 defeat.
With three points picked up from a possible 15, the Havakakan sit at the bottom of Group F and are guaranteed to finish there.
Team news
Ronaldo’s absence is the major headline surrounding the Portuguese national team.
Goncalo Ramos is expected to profit from Ronaldo’s unavailability and earn a recall to the starting XI, although Rafael Leao could also be given the nod to lead the line.
Bruno Fernandes missed the defeat to Ireland through suspension, but he is now eligible to feature.
Tigran Barseghyan sat out Armenia’s last outing against Hungary with a ban and remains unavailable to feature on Sunday.
Portugal Predicted XI (4-3-3): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Dalot; Neves, Vitinha, Fernandes; Silva, Ramos, Felix.
Armenia Predicted XI (4-3-3): Avagyan; Tiknizyan, Mkrtchyan, Muradyan, Piloyan; Spertsyan, Muradyan, Hovhannisyan; Sevikyan, Ranos, Shaghoyan.
