Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick helped Portugal to register a 3-2 win over Armenia at Euro 2016 Group I qualifying stage even after conceding an early goal.
Portugal were on top from the off in Yerevan, though Gevorg Ghazaryan was played clear for Armenia but failed to make a clean connection. In the 14th minute the hosts were ahead, Marcos Pizzelli’s superb free-kick from around 25 metres getting Sargis Hovsepyan’s first game as coach off to a deceptively fine start.
However, Ilidio Vale’s visitors were level 15 minutes later. Henrikh Mkhitaryan brought down Joao Moutinho in the box and Cristiano Ronaldo converted the penalty.
There was a sting in the tail, though, as Ronaldo ran onto a Ricardo Carvalho clearance and snuck in ahead of Robert Arzumanyan to chip the ball in over Berezovski and increase his record number of UEFA European Championship goals to 25.
It did not take him long to make it 26, the Portugal captain superbly controlling Rui Patricio’s clearance, turning and beating Berezovski from distance. Soon after Portugal were down to ten men, Tiago receiving a second booking for a foul on Artur Sarkisov.
With 18 minutes left Armenia had a lifeline, Hrayr Mkoyan pouncing after Patricio could only parry an effort from substitute Aras Ozbiliz. Portugal held out with comfort though.