Cristiano Ronaldo's phenomena of a goal astonishes spectators with awe

In a poignant display of sportsmanship, Portugal's football team made a commanding start in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, defeating Armenia 5-0. The match was not just about the victory, but also a tribute to one of their fallen teammates.

Cristiano Ronaldo, at the age of 40, scored a brace in the game, increasing his men's international scoring record to an impressive 140. After his second goal, Ronaldo raised his hands to the sky in tribute to his late teammate, Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away along with his brother André Silva in a car accident in July 2021.

Jota's teammate and fellow Portugal defender, João Cancelo, honoured his memory with his trademark video-game celebration. João Neves, a fellow teammate, praised Cancelo's gesture, calling it "beautiful."

Midfielder Vitinha described Portugal's performance as "near-perfect." He added that the match was about winning and giving everything. This victory marks a significant step for Portugal under Ronaldo's leadership, who led them to Uefa Nations League glory last summer.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo recently renewed his deal with Saudi side Al Nassr. Despite this, speculations about Saudi Arabia betting big on Ronaldo to boost tourism were not mentioned in the context of the qualifier match.

As Portugal continues its journey in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, the team will carry the memory of Diogo Jota with them, a reminder of the bond that unites them on and off the field. Ronaldo, with his record-breaking performance, is likely to get his final shot at the World Cup next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. His only missing trophy remains the World Cup, a prize that Lionel Messi won with Argentina in 2022.