Porto – Without its suspended star Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal became the fourth team from Europe to secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup on Sunday. In Porto, the 2016 European champions defeated Group A bottom team Armenia 9:1 (6:1). England, France and Croatia had previously qualified for the finals in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Behind Portugal, Ireland made it into the play-offs with a 3-2 (1-2) last-minute win in the direct duel in Hungary.
