Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal Squad Honor Diogo Jota with Heartfelt Tributes Following Emotional Victory

Portugal defender Nuno Tavares emphasized that Diogo Jota will "forever" remain with the squad following their initial match since the Liverpool striker's heartbreaking death this summer.

Jota perished in a vehicle crash along with his brother André Silva in July, and feelings ran deep during Saturday's World Cup qualifying match against Armenia as Portugal's players stepped onto the field for the first time without Jota.

João Félix found the net after 10 minutes before Ronaldo extended Portugal's advantage 21 minutes into the game. He gestured toward the heavens in tribute to Jota, who donned the No. 21 jersey for Portugal.

"We're all extremely pleased because it demonstrates [Jota] is alongside us, that he was present, and that instance, Ronaldo's strike, was enabled," Tavares contemplated the occasion.

"He'll forever remain alongside us, as was evident today."

João Cancelo scored Portugal's third goal of the evening and honored Jota with his signature gaming celebration, crouching on the field with a pretend controller in his grasp.

A spectacular long-range effort later allowed Ronaldo to reach 38 goals in World Cup qualifying matches, establishing a two-goal lead over longtime competitor Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo now occupies sole possession of second place on the all-time qualification scoring list but requires just one additional goal to equal the record holder, Guatemalan icon Carlos Ruiz.

He will get an opportunity to surpass that milestone as soon as Tuesday, when Portugal travels to Hungary to conclude the international window, and hopes to achieve this feat by the conclusion of October's international fixtures at the latest.

Hungary also appears on next month's schedule, following a home match against the Republic of Ireland.