Portugal secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an emphatic 9-1 victory over Armenia in the UEFA qualifiers. Bruno Fernandes and João Neves each scored hat-tricks, with Fernandes also providing an assist, demonstrating his vital role in the team. Fernandes, who wears the captain's armband in Cristiano Ronaldo's absence, has been pivotal for Portugal, especially when Ronaldo is not on the pitch. The midfielder has scored 28 goals in 85 caps, making him Portugal's sixth top scorer, and has contributed 37 goal involvements in his last 40 appearances. His influence is widely recognized in Portugal, with experts emphasizing his importance to the national team's attacking cohesion. Despite Ronaldo's legendary status, Fernandes's current form and leadership have made him arguably Portugal's most crucial player in the current squad, especially as Ronaldo faces potential suspension and possible absence from early World Cup matches.