Portugal honours late Liverpool star Diogo Jota with touching tribute in first game
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Members of the Portuguese national team paid tribute to Diogo Jota during their 5-0 victory over Armenia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
This was Portugal's first match since the tragic car accident that claimed the life of the Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, in early July.
At the time of the accident, 28-year-old Jota and his brother were travelling through the Spanish region of Zamora en route to Liverpool for pre-season training.
Portugal had not played since the tragedy until they faced Armenia on Saturday night.
The World Cup qualifier kicked off with former Chelsea forward Joao Felix scoring after just 10 minutes.
He celebrated by forming the number 21 with his fingers, a nod to Jota's shirt number for Portugal.
In the lead-up to the match, it was revealed that midfielder Ruben Neves, a former teammate of Jota's at Wolves and a member of the national team, would wear the No.
21 jersey for the rest of his international career in honour of his friend.
Neves, who also served as a pallbearer at Jota's funeral, was an unused substitute on the night.
Adding to the poignant tributes, Cristiano Ronaldo doubled Portugal's lead in the 21st minute of the game.
Speaking to RTP after the final whistle, manager Roberto Martinez said: "Diogo Jota is always with us, but being able to score in the 21st minute was special, a sign that we continue to walk together.
"Diogo Jota's presence is strong and clear; I felt it on the first day of training camp; he's with us."
Defender Nuno Tavares added: "We're all very happy because it shows he's with us, that he was there, and that moment, Ronaldo's goal, was made possible.
He'll always be with us, as was clear today."
Ronaldo also celebrated by pointing his finger to the sky in front of a banner amongst Portugal's travelling supporters that read 'Forever one of us'.
Former Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo netted a third before the interval and followed up with the 'gamer' celebration, sitting down and pretending he was using a gaming controller.
This had been made famous by Jota after he scored a dramatic late winner in a 4-3 victory against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in April 2023.
In the second half, Ronaldo and Felix sealed the emphatic triumph with a second goal each.