YEREVAN – The Armenian national team began its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a 5-0 defeat against Portugal on Saturday. The match was held at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan.
Despite the lopsided score, a brief, heartwarming moment between a young Armenian fan and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo captured significant attention online. Images and video of the interaction circulated widely across social media platforms.
The Portuguese national team’s official press service later acknowledged the viral moment, confirming its authenticity with a simple post: “Yes, it’s real.”
The focus now shifts to the next round of qualifiers scheduled for Tuesday. Armenia is set to host the Republic of Ireland, while the Portuguese squad will travel to face Hungary.
