Bruno nets hat-trick as Portugal qualify
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes scored his first international hat-trick on Sunday, as Portugal thrashed Armenia 9-1 to confirm their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
After a shock defeat to the Republic of Ireland in midweek, when Bruno was suspended, Roberto Martinez’s men required a win to top Group F – although, on a dramatic afternoon in the qualifiers, a draw would ultimately have sufficed.
But the Nations League holders romped to victory in Porto, with our skipper playing a major part.
Bruno’s free-kick was palmed on to the grateful head of Renato Veiga by Armenia keeper Henri Avagyan in the seventh minute, but the visitors soon equalised through captain Eduard Spertsyan.
🇵🇹 Bruno Fernandes | POTM vs Armenia:
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) November 16, 2025
◉ 3 - Goals
◉ 8 - Chances created (1st)
◉ 5 - Accurate crosses (1st)
◉ 4 - Shots on target (1st)
◉ 85% - Pass accuracy
◉ WhoScored rating - 10.00 🌟
One of two Portugal players to earn a perfect 10 rating, joined by João Neves… pic.twitter.com/IS1CYr7IYi
With Hungary leading Ireland in the other game, Portugal were suddenly under a touch of pressure but they retook the lead when Goncalo Ramos capitalised on an errant backpass.
Joao Neves then hit a quickfire double, the first from a Fernandes lay-off, and Bruno converted from the spot to virtually end the contest before half-time.
Portugal weren’t done yet though, with Fernandes breaking from midfield and finding the far corner to make it 6-1.
He then struck home another penalty to complete a maiden Portugal treble and move into sixth in the Selecao’s all-time scoring charts – his 28 goals ushering him past Helder Postiga and Rui Costa.
Neves later completed his own hat-trick, before Francisco Conceicao added a ninth in stoppage time to cap off a memorable afternoon at the Estadio do Dragao. There was significant drama elsewhere in the group, as Troy Parrott netted his own trio of goals to help Ireland come from behind in the dying seconds and snatch the play-off spot from Hungary.
Portugal – for whom Diogo Dalot was an unused substitute – were the fourth European nation to confirm a place at next summer’s final, after England, France and Croatia.
Norway added their name to the list later on Sunday, completing a perfect Group I campaign with victory over Italy and booking a first appearance at the World Cup since 1998.
Matthijs de Ligt and the Netherlands will stamp their ticket on Monday, should they avoid defeat at home to Lithuania.