Overview
- Portugal routed Armenia 9-1 in Porto to clinch top spot in Group F and secure automatic qualification for 2026.
- Bruno Fernandes and João Neves scored hat-tricks, with Gonçalo Ramos among the scorers as Roberto Martínez's team won without the suspended captain.
- Ronaldo missed the match after a straight red against Ireland, and a multi-game ban could carry into the World Cup because suspensions apply to the same competition type.
- The Republic of Ireland finished second with a 3-2 victory in Budapest, as Troy Parrott completed a hat-trick with a 96th-minute winner to book a March play-off berth.
- With key starters injured, the USMNT planned to use a friendly against Paraguay in Chester to test depth and give fringe players opportunities under Mauricio Pochettino.