A surprise 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland marked Portugal's first defeat of the qualification campaign (W3, D1), but with rock-bottom Armenia rounding off their group fixtures, Roberto Martinez’s side looked unlikely to slip up again.
Any pessimists in the home crowd were reminded of the gap in quality between the two nations, as the Selecao eased into a seventh-minute lead through Renato Veiga, who reacted first to nod in Fernandes’ parried free-kick from point-blank range.
However, against the run of play, the visitors struck back when Grant-Leon Ranos shrugged off Veiga to pick out Eduard Spertsyan, who bundled home an equaliser with Armenia’s first attack.
Deputising for the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, Goncalo Ramos seized upon a loose backpass from Artur Serobyan, rounding Henri Avagyan with his first touch, and calmly passing into the net for his 10th international goal.
Just moments later, Portugal punished Havakakan again, this time winning the ball high up the pitch in a press that soon transitioned into neat interplay, which was expertly finished off by J. Neves from the edge of the box.
Neves then netted the goal of the afternoon, sending an unbelievable, long-range free-kick into the top corner via the crossbar.
With half-time nearing, the hosts weren’t letting up, and after Joao Cancelo’s deflected strike cannoned off the post, Fernandes calmly rolled home a fifth from the spot after Karen Muradyan hauled down Ruben Dias.
The pattern of play resumed after the interval, as the Selecao brought up half a dozen thanks to Fernandes, who swept home after 52’.
Donning the famous number seven, debutant Carlos Forbs was brought down in the area by Muradyan, who was penalised for a second time as Fernandes wrapped up his hat-trick with another penalty in the 72nd minute.
That 20-minute period was the longest without the net bulging, as Neves guided in his hat-trick goal just nine minutes later.
Substitute Francisco Conceicao equalled Portugal’s record tally with a ninth goal of the game in stoppage time, slotting home to leave Portugal unbeaten in eight meetings with Armenia (W6, D2), and leaving Yegishe Melikyan’s side with just one win in 10 games (D1, L8).
Now unbeaten in eight home fixtures (W7, D1), Martinez can now fully focus on preparations for next summer’s WC, in which Portugal will begin the tournament without Ronaldo, thanks to his red card last time out.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joao Neves (Portugal)