Midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves each shone with a hat-trick, helping Portugal secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals on a day when Ronaldo was suspended. However, when asked whether Portugal becomes a different team without the 40-year-old superstar, Coach Martinez immediately dismissed the notion.

"No, we are stronger with Ronaldo, Nuno Mendes, and Pedro Neto," he stated. "The most important thing in football is to overcome difficulties. When some players are missing, the team must find a way to win. But it is clear that we are strongest when we have our full complement of key players."

Coach Roberto Martinez celebrates with Ronaldo after Portugal's victory over Slovenia in the Euro Round of 16 on 1/7/2024 at Frankfurt Stadium, Germany. Photo: Reuters

For this match, Portugal was missing Nuno Mendes and Pedro Neto due to injury, while Ronaldo was suspended after receiving a red card in the defeat to Ireland three days prior. Joao Cancelo, Rafael Leao, and Goncalo Ramos replaced these players. While Cancelo made a mistake leading to Portugal's only conceded goal against Armenia, striker Ramos scored one goal in a rare start.

Coach Martinez also took time to explain the difference in his players' performance after their stumble against Ireland. That loss was his first after 43 European and World Cup qualifying matches. He attributed the defeat more to psychological factors than to technical aspects.

"In Ireland, we played with the psychology of fearing to lose a World Cup spot," the 52-year-old coach said. "Today was different. The whole team played to win, to contribute, and to harness the power of the home crowd. I am satisfied to see the players react strongly, united, and more proactively."

Portugal's two biggest victories in history, a 9-0 win over Luxembourg in the Euro 2024 qualifiers and a 9-1 win over Armenia, both occurred without Ronaldo. However, the 40-year-old superstar has maintained a consistent scoring form, with 25 goals in his last 30 matches for the national team.

Hoang An (according to O Jogo)