Portugal recovered from a shock loss to Ireland on Thursday to qualify, while Norway is through for the first time since 1998.Portugal booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a 9-1 victory over Armenia on Sunday, while an Erling Haaland brace rubber-stamped Norway’s place in the global showpiece as they romped to a 4-1 win in Italy.After being held by Hungary and then stunned by the Republic of Ireland last time out, Portugal sealed top spot in Group F at the third time of asking with a resounding win over bottom-side Armenia.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listIn the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, star midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves both scored hat-tricks as the Portuguese ran riot in Porto.Renato Veiga, Goncalo Ramos and Francisco Conceicao were also on the scoresheet.“The most important thing was qualifying for the World Cup,” Paris Saint-Germain linchpin Neves told RTP.“For me, as I always say, the team always comes before the individual. I’m very happy to have scored my first goal for the national team, and my second and third as well.”Portugal will compete in a seventh consecutive edition of the World Cup, a tournament which the Euro 2016 champions have yet to win.“We’re at the World Cup! Let’s go, Portugal!” Ronaldo posted on social media.The striker could miss the start of the tournament depending on whether FIFA extend his suspension beyond the mandatory one-match ban he served against Armenia.Ireland sewed up th …
