After scoring hat-trick in 9-1 win over Armenia, Bruno Fernandes comments on whether Portugal play better without Cristiano Ronaldo

Bruno Fernandes has opened up on Portugal's 9-1 win over Armenia in Cristiano Ronaldo's absence. He scored a hat-trick as Roberto Martinez's side secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in their 2-0 defeat against Ireland in Dublin on Thursday, October 13. He was, hence, suspended for their final 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier clash against Armenia at home on Sunday. The hosts comfortably won 9-1, with Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves both getting a hat-trick.

After the game, the Manchester United skipper was asked if Portugal are a better team without the 40-year-old. He answered (h/t O Jogo):

"Cristiano scored many goals in this qualifying campaign, he brings things that other players don't bring, and others bring things that Cristiano doesn't. When we're here, we're missed, and when we're not, we're not. We have to talk about everyone the same way; I see the game as a whole, not just individually." "We have to get rid of this idea that some players make the team play better or worse, that they're missed or not. Everyone here is missed, everyone can be called up and be in this group. All players are important and will be important when they are called upon," he added.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored five goals in five games for Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

---

Portugal star Bruno Fernandes opened up on Cristiano Ronaldo's red card vs Ireland

Cristiano Ronaldo received his first red card for Portugal in 226 appearances in their clash against Ireland in their previous game. He was deemed to have elbowed Dara O'Shea in the back in the 61st minute and was shown a red card after a VAR review.

Ahead of A Selecao's clash against Armenia, Bruno Fernandes spoke about Ronaldo's red card and said:

“A red card is something normal in football. It was a moment where Cris reacted in a way that cost him dearly. He knows it wasn’t something he wanted to do, but it happened, and he knows he made a mistake. He won’t be able to help us tomorrow, but that doesn’t change the fact that even before the red card, we were already behind in the score. Obviously, that made things more difficult because we were only playing with ten men, and we didn’t have a player capable of scoring at any moment.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 143 goals and provided 46 assists in 226 games for Portugal. He will be making his sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup next year.

Edited by Aditya Singh