Portugal is taking an important step towards qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. The Seleçao das Quinas have just knocked out Turkey in the semi-finals of the European zone play-offs. A 3-1 victory for Fernando Santos’ men who will face North Macedonia in the final.
–
It is a Portugal jostled to the end which was still able to get out of the Turkish trap. In front of their home crowd, in a jam-packed Estadio do Dragao, the 2016 European champions opened the scoring in the 15th minute, thanks to FC Porto player Otávio. Just before the break, Diogo Jota, alone at the far post, headed the Turkish goalkeeper to make it 2-0. Portugal thought it was going to be a quiet game, but it was a mistake. Cristiano Ronaldo and his partners come under pressure with the reduction of Burak Yilmaz for Turkey in the 65th minute.
This reduction in the score put Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates in fear of their lives with the penalty awarded to Turkey in the 85th minute of play. 90th+4 thanks to Matheus Nunes. The Portuguese thus won 3-1 and will face North Macedonia in the final of the European play-offs of the 2022 World Cup on March 29. North Macedonia created a surprise by beating Italy in front of their home crowd 1-0 with a goal from Trajkovski (90+3).
–
