PORTUGAL qualified for the World Cup with a 2-0 win over North Macedonia tonight in Lisbon.
Bruno Fernandes scored both of Portugal’s goal to ensure another World Cup appearance for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
- RESULT: Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
- Portugal XI: Diogo Costa, Nuno Mendes, Pepe, Danilo, Cancelo, Otavio, Moutinho, Fernandes, Silva, Jota, Ronaldo
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That’s all from Estádio do Dragão
Portugal have earned their place in this year’s World Cup after defeating a resilient North Macedonia side.
Bruno Fernandes scored twice to secure the historic win.
Cristiano Ronaldo will now have one last chance to get his hands on the historic trophy when he captains his country in Qatar later this year.
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Elsewhere in the Play-Offs
Poland defeated Sweden 2-0 in the other play-off final this evening.
Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski both scored to send The Eagles to the World Cup!
Fernando Santos reacts
“The only dream I have is to win a third competition. I dream of the World Cup.”
“Congratulations to the Portuguese. They are always with the national team and once again they were fantastic.”
“We have expectations for the World Cup. We have a dream. We’ve already got two titles.”
“Portugal is a candidate. In all the naturalness of a team that has a lot of quality.”
Pepe reacts
“I want to thank all the Portuguese. It was an exciting night, the atmosphere was fantastic.
“We deserved it. It was an injustice not to go to the World Cup.”
“Dreaming is within everyone’s reach. We have a lot of quality but we have to work hard and be a humble and warrior team.”
Credit: Getty Ron the cards
Portugal have booked their place in the 2022 World Cup in Quatar!
Cristiano Ronaldo will have his fifth (and potentially final) shot at winning the biggest competition in world football!
Full Time – Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
North Macedonia had a positive start to the game, but everything seemed to fall apart when Ristovski’s mistake led to the opening goal.
The Lions were hoping to cause another huge upset this evening, but the quality of Portugal’s squad proved to be too much of a threat.
Unfortunately, they will have to wait a bit longer for their first World Cup appearance.
Credit: Getty Full Time – Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
Portugal dominated the game from the off and deserved the win this evening.
Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Otavio and Nuno Mendes were all stand-out performers throughout, whilst it was a relatively quiet evening for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fernandes’ brace has guaranteed Portugal’s place in this year’s World Cup – it will be the country’s sixth consecutive stint in the competition.
Credit: Getty Full Time – Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
They’ve done it!
Portugal have secured their place in this year’s World Cup!
Credit: Getty 90+1. Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
Three minutes have been added on.
North Macedonia are throwing everything at Portugal right now.
Another substitution has been made, as Moutinho comes off and is replaced by Ferreira.
88. Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
North Macedonia make another change.
Nikolov comes on to replace Elmas.
87. Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
Portugal make two more changes.
B.Silva is replaced by Felix.
Fernandes is replaced by Nunes.
80. Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
Portugal are on the attack again.
Fernandes drives down the right before squaring the ball to Ronaldo, but Velkovski gets back to make an outstanding tackle.
The North Macedonia players are furious with referee Anthony Taylor as they had two penalty appeals dismissed just before the counter attack.
77. Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
Portugal make their first substitutions of the evening.
Otavio is replaced by Carvalho.
Jota is replaced by Leao.
76. Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
North Macedonia make another change.
Kostadinov is replaced by Ashkovski.
Trajkovski is replaced by Churlinov.
74. Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
Alioski is now booked for a push on Otavio.
Portugal have a free kick in a dangerous position.
Fernandes steps up to take and sends the ball towards Ronaldo in the box, but Musliu heads clear.
69. Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
Frustrations are really starting to mount for North Macedonia now.
Alioski lashes out at Jota after a corner is won, which leads to a scuffle.
Musliu and Cancelo are both booked by the referee for their involvement in the incident.
Credit: AP 66. Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
Pepe prevents a North Macedonia attack before sending the ball forward.
It finds Jota on the left who sends a cross into Fernandes, and the midfielder has no hesitation in volleying it past Dimitrievski and into the goal.
Credit: Getty 65. GOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL PORTUGAL!!!!!
Fernandes strikes again!
58. Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia
Portugal are pushing for another goal.
North Macedonia are struggling to retain any possession, so The Navigators are being gifted control.
52. Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia
Otavio wins the ball from Bardhi on the edge of North Macedonia’s penalty area.
He quickly sets it to Fernandes who takes a shot, but his effort flies straight into the hands of Dimitrievski.
49. Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia
Mendes does well to drive past Ristovski on the left.
He attempts to send the ball into the box, but his cross flies out for a goal kick.
47. Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia
North Macedonia have made their first substitution of the evening.
M.Ristovski has been replaced by Miovski.
Kick Off – Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia
We’re back underway!
Half Time – Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia
North Macedonia had a positive start to the game, but a mistake from Ristovski has really cost them.
Fernandes’ goal could have easily been avoided, and the Lions are now on the back foot.
Portugal are in control – 45 minutes is all that stands between them and a place in the World Cup.
Half Time – Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia
Portugal are deservedly in the lead going into the second half of this World Cup Qualifying final.
The home side have dominated for the majority of the game so far, and arguably could have scored one or two more goals.
Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
