Match story
- Portugal created the clearer chances on xG (5.80 vs 0.62, Δ 5.18).
- Portugal fired more attempts (34 vs 4 shots).
- Portugal held more of the ball (76% possession).
Portugal defeated Armenia 9-1 in the World Cup - Qualification Europe. The fixture is part of the Group Stage - 10 stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Estádio do Dragão in Porto. I. Peljto officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Portugal vs Armenia meeting in World Cup - Qualification Europe with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Portugal and Armenia. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
World Cup - Qualification EuropeRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Portugal defeated Armenia 9-1 in the World Cup - Qualification Europe. The fixture is part of the Group Stage - 10 stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Estádio do Dragão in Porto. I. Peljto officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Portugal vs Armenia meeting in World Cup - Qualification Europe with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Portugal and Armenia. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
World Cup - Qualification EuropeRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand (Picture: YouTube) Rio Ferdinand says Manchester City would have pipped Arsenal to the Premier League title last season had Rodri been available for the entire campaign. Arsenal clinched their first Premier League title since 2004 back in May, finishing seven points clear of Man City in Pep Guardiola’s last season at the club. Ballon d’Or winner Rodri missed 17 Premier League games last term due to injury issues and Ferdinand believes his availability would have changed the course of the title race. Rodri now looks set to end his long and successful spell at the Etihad Stadium, with Barcelona closing in on a stunning deal for the World Cup winner. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Ferdinand says Rodri’s imminent departure will present ‘huge challenges’ to a Manchester City team already having to cope with the exit of legendary manager Guardiola. Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea boss, has been given the possibly tricky task of replacing Guardiola, who won six Premier League titles, the Champions League and eight domestic cups at Man City. Speaking on his podcast, Manchester United legend Ferdinand said: ‘Can we just talk about Manchester City please? Man City legend Rodri is set to join Barcelona (Picture: Getty) ‘Not only have they lost Pep Guardiola, it now looks like they’re losing Rodri. That’s two of the most important people at the football club in the last seven or eight years. ‘So after a big change in manager they’re losing the biggest, most important player in their team. ‘If Rodri started and played every game last season and didn’t have that injury, Man City win the Premier League. No disrespect to Arsenal but if Rodri played ten more games, Man City would have won the league. Arsenal pipped Man City to the Premier League title (Picture: Getty) ‘That’s no coincidence. This guy went into the Spain team and was their most important player, wins the best player of the tournament and helps them win the World Cup. He’s won the Ballon d’Or too, he’s won everything. ‘If Barcelona get him they are a certified problem this year because Rodri is the most important footballer for any team on the planet right now and has been for the last few years. He’s a top player and a top pro. ‘I think Man City have a huge challenge this year in competing in the way they have in the last eight or nine years. Former Man City boss Pep Guardiola (Picture: Getty) ‘They’ve lost two huge components of the football club, not only on the pitch but off it as well. They were both huge contributors so let’s watch this space.’ Arsenal hero Anders Limpar has also suggested Manchester City could be set for a difficult season if they sell influential midfielder Rodri. ‘If Manchester City sell Rodri they are shooting themselves in the foot because he cannot be replaced,’ Limpar told SveaCasino. ‘We said the same about David Silva but they did replace him and brought in a couple of good players, like Bernardo Silva, but it’s even harder to replace Rodri now. ‘He’s a Ballon d’Or winner because of how good he is in his role. Who are you going to replace him with? ‘City have to be very, very careful here or they can become a mediocre team that struggles to finish sixth or seventh even with Erling Haaland because Rodri is the machine. He’s the engine in that midfield. ‘It would be the best signing of the summer for Arsenal if Rodri goes to Barcelona or Real Madrid.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
While announcing his marriage with Georgina Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to miss the first two games of the 2026-27 season for Al Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo is celebrating one of the happiest personal milestones of his life after officially confirming his marriage to long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez. However, the wedding celebration will temporarily impact Al Nassr, as the Portuguese legend is reportedly expected to miss the club’s first two official matches of the campaign. On Tuesday, August 12, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez publicly confirmed their marriage following an extended summer vacation following the conclusion of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup run. Taking to social media, the couple published a joint post showcasing matching gold bands with a brief caption that read, “I do.“ According to People, the civil ceremony embraced an intimate setting rather than a lavish public spectacle. Reports indicate the wedding took place in Cascais, an upscale coastal town west of Lisbon, Portugal, with attendance limited exclusively to the couple’s five children: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., Eva Maria, Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella Esmeralda. The marriage took place exactly one year after Ronaldo proposed to the model on August 11, 2025. “Yes, I do. In this life and in all my lives,” Rodriguez wrote at the time while displaying her oval-cut diamond engagement ring, valued at roughly €6 million (around $7.8 million USD), which also appeared in the background of their official wedding announcement. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez announce their marriage. (@cristiano/Instagram) Ronaldo set to miss first two Al Nassr fixtures Following Portugal’s World Cup elimination on July 6, Ronaldo did not join his Al Nassr teammates for their preseason preparations. While Al Nassr completed their overseas training camp in Portugal before returning to Riyadh, the club captain did not attend a single session, with the competitive season commencing in less than a week. According to a report from Al Riyadhiah, team sources confirmed that Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s first two competitive fixtures of the 2026-27 campaign across two separate competitions. Having been granted an extended leave of absence following international duty at the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo was absent from the club’s summer training program. The forward utilized the additional rest period to complete his marriage to Rodriguez in Portugal before traveling to Saudi Arabia to resume club activities. Lacking full match fitness for the opening fixtures, Ronaldo will first miss Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on Saturday, August 15, as the club begin their title defense. Al Nassr will then play their second fixture on Tuesday, August 18, facing Al Diriyah in the Round of 32 of the King’s Cup. Based on those reports, Ronaldo is targeted to make his seasonal debut on Matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League against Al Riyadh on Friday, August 21. Until his return, new head coach Ange Postecoglou will need to adjust his attacking options to fill the central No. 9 role.
It's that time of the year again - the transfer window is now open until September 1 and it's sure to be a busy period with clubs looking to make big signings ahead of next season.
Today’s rumours are just trying to orbit the sunWhen did the summer of 2026 transform into a midfield merry-go-round? Now Bruno Guimarães has rocked up at Arsenal and Manchester United have a couple of new signings, it stands to reason that more midfielders will be on the move soon and Real Madrid appear to be chasing Gunners metronome Martín Zubimendi.It seems odd that Arsenal would sanction a sale, given they spent most of the 2024-25 campaign coveting the former Real Sociedad star, but Mikel Arteta has forward and defensive targets to land instead. Pedro Neto is the latest winger to be linked, though Liverpool and Tottenham are also in the queue for the Chelsea flyer. Tricky Juventus wide man Kenan Yildiz has also been mentioned in relation to Arsenal. Continue reading...
Jose Mourinho called out Bernardo Silva after Real Madrid's friendly against Ferencvaros by addressing a "significantly lower level of physical fitness" by the midfielder. Jose Mourinho conducted his third preseason exhibition of his second stint at Real Madrid, securing a 2-1 victory against Hungarian side Ferencvaros, whose domestic campaign is already underway. However, the manager’s most notable postmatch remarks were directed at marquee free-agent signing Bernardo Silva, whom the Portuguese boss candidly called out for arriving in “significantly lower” physical condition. Real Madrid traveled to Budapest to square off against Ferencvaros at Groupama Arena, giving Mourinho an opportunity to evaluate his roster by deploying nine second-half substitutes. Stars including Vinicius Junior, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, and Silva entered the pitch for the second 45 minutes, but the Portuguese midfielder struggled to find his rhythm during his first action. Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the final whistle, Mourinho addressed the midfielder’s importance while delivering a blunt assessment of his fitness level: “Bernardo is important, but the poor guy is another one who has had a vacation and he is the kind of guy whose head benefits from doing nothing during his vacation period, so he has reported at a significantly lower level of physical fitness and has to build himself up, but he is a tremendous player.” Silva replaced Brahim Diaz at halftime, marking his first appearance on a football pitch since Portugal’s Round of 16 elimination against Spain at the 2026 World Cup on July 6. Returning from an extended post-tournament vacation, the midfielder produced a subdued debut performance, logging 32 touches, zero shots on target, four lost possessions, and two ball recoveries. Bernardo Silva of Real Madrid controls the ball during the preseason friendly at Groupama Arena. (David Balogh/Getty Images) Mourinho went on to praise Silva’s tactical versatility while reiterating that the veteran is still far from peak match fitness. “He can help us build up play if he plays deeper, as a ‘six’ or an ‘eight’. But, during the match, I realized that he was lacking some physical strength, so I moved him forward to the ‘ten’ position. He can play in three or four positions,” the coach said. Bernardo Silva reflects on his Real Madrid debut After being heavily pursued by FC Barcelona over multiple transfer windows, Silva ultimately elected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City. Under contract through June 2028, the 31-year-old is expected to bring elite technical capability and veteran leadership to Los Blancos‘ midfield. Following his debut, Silva acknowledged that substantial work remains as he works his way back into match shape. “It’s only the first week, but I’m very happy. There are still many things to improve, but the most important thing is to get into a rhythm to start the season well,” he stated to Real Madrid TV. “It has been a tough week, but I am very happy to have started and to have made my debut with Madrid,” Silva concluded. Los Blancos will play two final tune-up matches against Deportivo La Coruña and Schalke 04 before opening their 2026-27 La Liga campaign on the road against Espanyol on August 22.
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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand (Picture: YouTube) Rio Ferdinand says Manchester City would have pipped Arsenal to the Premier League title last season had Rodri been available for the entire campaign. Arsenal clinched their first Premier League title since 2004 back in May, finishing seven points clear of Man City in Pep Guardiola’s last season at the club. Ballon d’Or winner Rodri missed 17 Premier League games last term due to injury issues and Ferdinand believes his availability would have changed the course of the title race. Rodri now looks set to end his long and successful spell at the Etihad Stadium, with Barcelona closing in on a stunning deal for the World Cup winner. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Ferdinand says Rodri’s imminent departure will present ‘huge challenges’ to a Manchester City team already having to cope with the exit of legendary manager Guardiola. Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea boss, has been given the possibly tricky task of replacing Guardiola, who won six Premier League titles, the Champions League and eight domestic cups at Man City. Speaking on his podcast, Manchester United legend Ferdinand said: ‘Can we just talk about Manchester City please? Man City legend Rodri is set to join Barcelona (Picture: Getty) ‘Not only have they lost Pep Guardiola, it now looks like they’re losing Rodri. That’s two of the most important people at the football club in the last seven or eight years. ‘So after a big change in manager they’re losing the biggest, most important player in their team. ‘If Rodri started and played every game last season and didn’t have that injury, Man City win the Premier League. No disrespect to Arsenal but if Rodri played ten more games, Man City would have won the league. Arsenal pipped Man City to the Premier League title (Picture: Getty) ‘That’s no coincidence. This guy went into the Spain team and was their most important player, wins the best player of the tournament and helps them win the World Cup. He’s won the Ballon d’Or too, he’s won everything. ‘If Barcelona get him they are a certified problem this year because Rodri is the most important footballer for any team on the planet right now and has been for the last few years. He’s a top player and a top pro. ‘I think Man City have a huge challenge this year in competing in the way they have in the last eight or nine years. Former Man City boss Pep Guardiola (Picture: Getty) ‘They’ve lost two huge components of the football club, not only on the pitch but off it as well. They were both huge contributors so let’s watch this space.’ Arsenal hero Anders Limpar has also suggested Manchester City could be set for a difficult season if they sell influential midfielder Rodri. ‘If Manchester City sell Rodri they are shooting themselves in the foot because he cannot be replaced,’ Limpar told SveaCasino. ‘We said the same about David Silva but they did replace him and brought in a couple of good players, like Bernardo Silva, but it’s even harder to replace Rodri now. ‘He’s a Ballon d’Or winner because of how good he is in his role. Who are you going to replace him with? ‘City have to be very, very careful here or they can become a mediocre team that struggles to finish sixth or seventh even with Erling Haaland because Rodri is the machine. He’s the engine in that midfield. ‘It would be the best signing of the summer for Arsenal if Rodri goes to Barcelona or Real Madrid.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
While announcing his marriage with Georgina Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to miss the first two games of the 2026-27 season for Al Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo is celebrating one of the happiest personal milestones of his life after officially confirming his marriage to long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez. However, the wedding celebration will temporarily impact Al Nassr, as the Portuguese legend is reportedly expected to miss the club’s first two official matches of the campaign. On Tuesday, August 12, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez publicly confirmed their marriage following an extended summer vacation following the conclusion of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup run. Taking to social media, the couple published a joint post showcasing matching gold bands with a brief caption that read, “I do.“ According to People, the civil ceremony embraced an intimate setting rather than a lavish public spectacle. Reports indicate the wedding took place in Cascais, an upscale coastal town west of Lisbon, Portugal, with attendance limited exclusively to the couple’s five children: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., Eva Maria, Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella Esmeralda. The marriage took place exactly one year after Ronaldo proposed to the model on August 11, 2025. “Yes, I do. In this life and in all my lives,” Rodriguez wrote at the time while displaying her oval-cut diamond engagement ring, valued at roughly €6 million (around $7.8 million USD), which also appeared in the background of their official wedding announcement. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez announce their marriage. (@cristiano/Instagram) Ronaldo set to miss first two Al Nassr fixtures Following Portugal’s World Cup elimination on July 6, Ronaldo did not join his Al Nassr teammates for their preseason preparations. While Al Nassr completed their overseas training camp in Portugal before returning to Riyadh, the club captain did not attend a single session, with the competitive season commencing in less than a week. According to a report from Al Riyadhiah, team sources confirmed that Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s first two competitive fixtures of the 2026-27 campaign across two separate competitions. Having been granted an extended leave of absence following international duty at the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo was absent from the club’s summer training program. The forward utilized the additional rest period to complete his marriage to Rodriguez in Portugal before traveling to Saudi Arabia to resume club activities. Lacking full match fitness for the opening fixtures, Ronaldo will first miss Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on Saturday, August 15, as the club begin their title defense. Al Nassr will then play their second fixture on Tuesday, August 18, facing Al Diriyah in the Round of 32 of the King’s Cup. Based on those reports, Ronaldo is targeted to make his seasonal debut on Matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League against Al Riyadh on Friday, August 21. Until his return, new head coach Ange Postecoglou will need to adjust his attacking options to fill the central No. 9 role.
It's that time of the year again - the transfer window is now open until September 1 and it's sure to be a busy period with clubs looking to make big signings ahead of next season.
Today’s rumours are just trying to orbit the sunWhen did the summer of 2026 transform into a midfield merry-go-round? Now Bruno Guimarães has rocked up at Arsenal and Manchester United have a couple of new signings, it stands to reason that more midfielders will be on the move soon and Real Madrid appear to be chasing Gunners metronome Martín Zubimendi.It seems odd that Arsenal would sanction a sale, given they spent most of the 2024-25 campaign coveting the former Real Sociedad star, but Mikel Arteta has forward and defensive targets to land instead. Pedro Neto is the latest winger to be linked, though Liverpool and Tottenham are also in the queue for the Chelsea flyer. Tricky Juventus wide man Kenan Yildiz has also been mentioned in relation to Arsenal. Continue reading...
Jose Mourinho called out Bernardo Silva after Real Madrid's friendly against Ferencvaros by addressing a "significantly lower level of physical fitness" by the midfielder. Jose Mourinho conducted his third preseason exhibition of his second stint at Real Madrid, securing a 2-1 victory against Hungarian side Ferencvaros, whose domestic campaign is already underway. However, the manager’s most notable postmatch remarks were directed at marquee free-agent signing Bernardo Silva, whom the Portuguese boss candidly called out for arriving in “significantly lower” physical condition. Real Madrid traveled to Budapest to square off against Ferencvaros at Groupama Arena, giving Mourinho an opportunity to evaluate his roster by deploying nine second-half substitutes. Stars including Vinicius Junior, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, and Silva entered the pitch for the second 45 minutes, but the Portuguese midfielder struggled to find his rhythm during his first action. Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the final whistle, Mourinho addressed the midfielder’s importance while delivering a blunt assessment of his fitness level: “Bernardo is important, but the poor guy is another one who has had a vacation and he is the kind of guy whose head benefits from doing nothing during his vacation period, so he has reported at a significantly lower level of physical fitness and has to build himself up, but he is a tremendous player.” Silva replaced Brahim Diaz at halftime, marking his first appearance on a football pitch since Portugal’s Round of 16 elimination against Spain at the 2026 World Cup on July 6. Returning from an extended post-tournament vacation, the midfielder produced a subdued debut performance, logging 32 touches, zero shots on target, four lost possessions, and two ball recoveries. Bernardo Silva of Real Madrid controls the ball during the preseason friendly at Groupama Arena. (David Balogh/Getty Images) Mourinho went on to praise Silva’s tactical versatility while reiterating that the veteran is still far from peak match fitness. “He can help us build up play if he plays deeper, as a ‘six’ or an ‘eight’. But, during the match, I realized that he was lacking some physical strength, so I moved him forward to the ‘ten’ position. He can play in three or four positions,” the coach said. Bernardo Silva reflects on his Real Madrid debut After being heavily pursued by FC Barcelona over multiple transfer windows, Silva ultimately elected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City. Under contract through June 2028, the 31-year-old is expected to bring elite technical capability and veteran leadership to Los Blancos‘ midfield. Following his debut, Silva acknowledged that substantial work remains as he works his way back into match shape. “It’s only the first week, but I’m very happy. There are still many things to improve, but the most important thing is to get into a rhythm to start the season well,” he stated to Real Madrid TV. “It has been a tough week, but I am very happy to have started and to have made my debut with Madrid,” Silva concluded. Los Blancos will play two final tune-up matches against Deportivo La Coruña and Schalke 04 before opening their 2026-27 La Liga campaign on the road against Espanyol on August 22.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
