Armenia v Portugal: Line-ups, stats and preview

Armenia v Portugal match preview

Ten years and two months after a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick gave Portugal a 3-2 win in Armenia in Euro 2016 qualifying, the teams meet again to start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns as part of a group also containing Hungary and Ireland.

Ronaldo has decided the result in three of the four editions of the fixture since 2007, scoring the only goal in 2014 and the equaliser in a 1-1 draw 18 years ago.

“It’s a matter of unpredictability,” said Selecao defender Ruben Dias, discussing new Armenia manager Yeghishe Melikyan.

“They’re a strong counter-attacking team, well-organised defensively and, in this context at this level, they’ll only make things difficult for you if you don’t pay attention to who you’re playing against and if you’re not at your best.”

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez believes a new coach will mean “the emotional aspects carry more weight” for Armenia.

“The big challenge for us is to change our mindset after winning the Nations League,” Martinez added.

“That’s what we want to do in the game. Talking about results is for the fans. It’s the performance that ultimately motivates a particular result. But I will, of course, accept any result from the game.”

Former Ajax and Greece manager John van’t Schip oversaw three defeats and a draw during his six-month spell as Armenia boss from February, and Melikyan has praised his squad’s “good team spirit and excellent discipline”.

“I don’t know what came before me but now I see only positives,” said Melikyan (via Sportaran), an ex-Armenia left-back and two time national champion as manager of former club Pyunik.

“After a few days of working here, I became more confident in the players – saw their best qualities – and I believe we will succeed.

“I can’t say whether it will happen [against Portugal because] the opponents are very strong. But I am sure that positive changes in our game will be visible.

“I have plans for the game. Whether they work or not will be shown during the match. Whether it will be a surprise for the opponents, I don’t know – but I hope so.

“Portugal have weak points and we will try to use them. Every plan should be unexpected for the opponents.”

Armenia v Portugal team news

Long-serving Armenia captain Varazdat Haroyan retired from international football because of Melikyan’s appointment, explaining that it “didn’t work out” when the pair worked together at Pyunik and “won’t work out either” at international level.

Melikyan has decided but did not reveal who will skipper his side and called the absence of the injured Styopa Mkrtchyan – the squad’s only left-footed central defender – a “big loss”.

Goalkeeper Ognjen Cancarevic is a doubt, while newcomers include midfielders Narek Aghasaryan, of Armenian Premier League leaders Urartu, and Karen Nalbandyan, of second-placed Alashkert.

“I want to see a change of generations and rejuvenation of the squad, gradually moving in that direction,” hoped Melikyan.

“There won’t be any radical decisions. I invited Aghasaryan and Nalbandyan not specifically for these matches, but so they could integrate into the team and feel the atmosphere.

“They are our future. Whether they will play now or not is difficult to say – but in the future, certainly.”

CSKA Moscow defender or midfielder Artyom Bandikyan has been called up from the Under-21s and Melikyan suggested he will rely on a young defensive line.

“But I am not afraid to work with them,” he added. “Even if we don’t win, victories will definitely come. Without such experience[s like this], we won’t have a solid defence in the future.”

Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot has sustained a muscle injury and been replaced by Lazio’s Nuno Tavares for Portugal, who are without widemen Nelson Semedo and Rafael Leao.

“Arriving here 48 hours before kick-off was important,” said Martinez. “The players are full of energy and focused.

“We have to manage the starting 11 very well so we can be at the same level against Hungary [away on Tuesday].

“You can expect changes. The versatility of our players is important, and being able to use players on the outside and inside.

“We’ve used Nuno Mendes in different positions, as well as Joao Neves, who can play as a full-back without the ball. That will be an important aspect.”

The game is Portugal’s first since the death of their forward, Diogo Jota, and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash in July.

“We all grieve differently,” said Martinez. “Diogo Jota was part of [our success] and built the dressing room.

“He’s a strength for us – a source of motivation because he wanted to win the World Cup. It [will be] a very emotional, difficult, but beautiful match.

“We have a responsibility to fight for the Portuguese people, as always, but we have a responsibility for Diogo, and that’s very special.”

Armenia v Portugal predicted lineups

Armenia starting XI: Arsen Beglaryan, Kamo Hovhannisyan, Georgi Harutyunyan, Sergey Muradyan, Nair Tiknizyan, Narek Aghasaryan, Tigran Barseghyan, Eduard Spertsyan, Zhirayr Shagoyan, Artur Serobyan, Edgar Sevikyan

Portugal starting XI: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Francisco Conceicao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto

Is Armenia v Portugal on TV? TV channel, online live stream

Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:00 BST (12:00 ET / 09:00 PT), with live coverage on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view, which charges £2.49 for the game.

Armenia v Portugal stats

Armenia v Portugal prediction

At sixth in Fifa’s rankings, hot favourites Portugal are 99 places above an Armenia side who have lost their last three home games.