FIFA World Cup 2022 – Portugal beat North Macedonia 2-0, Portugal Qualifies FIFA WC: Bruno Fernandes has booked Portugal’s ticket to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Fernandes scored double as Portugal defeated North Macedonia 2-0 in FIFA World Cup Playoffs: Follow InsideSport.IN for more World Cup 2022 updates.
- GOAL 1: Fernandes won the ball in midfield, played a one-two with Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and fired home from the edge of the box to open the scoring in Porto.
- GOAL 2: He then volleyed in Diogo Jota’s cross for the second having helped start the move himself outside his own box.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: List of Teams qualified for the World Cup
FIFA World Cup 2022: Bruno Fernandes scores DOUBLE, takes Portugal to FIFA WC after victory over North Macedonia
Portugal beat North Macedonia 2-0: North Macedonia were looking to shock the football world again on Tuesday as they went to Portugal just five days after their 1-0 win over Italy in the semi-finals but their effort against Portugal just wasn’t enough as the visitors are knocked out.
🇵🇹💪 Portugal are going to Qatar 2022 #WCQ | #WorldCup | @selecaoportugal pic.twitter.com/vf4gZztQbP
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 29, 2022
Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia Highlights: Portugal QUALIFY for the FIFA World Cup 2022
Portugal sealed their place at the 2022 World Cup as Bruno Fernandes double secured a 2-0 win over North Macedonia. Fresh from their shock defeat of Italy, North Macedonia headed to Porto with another giant killing in their sights, but it is Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. who will feature in Qatar.
Whereas North Macedonia had kept things tight and took their chance when it came in Palermo last week, a costly mistake from Stefan Ristovski saw them fell behind this time around.
Fernandes took full advantage, opening the scoring in the 32nd minute before doubling his tally after finishing a counter-attack he helped start with a fine 65th-minute half volley to ensure Portugal kept up their record of qualifying for every World Cup since the turn of the century.
Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia Highlights: Manchester United duo Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo combine for the opening goal
Portugal’s first opportunity seemed set to result in a goal when Ronaldo burst onto Otavio’s pass in the 14th minute, only to drag wide when one-on-one with Stole Dimitrievski. North Macedonia had otherwise kept Portugal at arm’s length, yet Diogo Jota should have done better when he headed over the bar from Fernandes’ corner.
It was a mistake, though, that gifted Portugal the lead. Fernandes pounced on Ristovski’s poor pass and, having received a neat pass back from Ronaldo, picked out the bottom-left corner. Jota sliced a close-range effort wide as a chance for 2-0 went begging before half-time, but Fernandes made no such mistake after the hour.
Pepe’s superb tackle prevented a North Macedonia attack and started a rapid counter, with Fernandes beating the offside trap to steer in brilliantly from Jota’s cross. That settled any nerves in the crowd, with Fernando Santos’ team able to relax as their prolonged qualification quest proved successful.
The only downside for the fans was two late chances going amiss for Ronaldo, who just failed to turn home a Fernandes cross before his path to goal was blocked following an excellent run from Rafael Leao.
Ronaldo set to match World Cup record
Barring missing out through injury, Ronaldo will feature in a fifth World Cup, which equals the record currently shared by Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Marquez, Lothar Matthaus and Gianluigi Buffon, albeit the latter did not actually play in the 1998 tournament despite making Italy’s squad.
At 37, this will surely be Cristiano Ronaldo’s LAST chance to become a world champion on the international stage.
What’s next for Portugal and North Macedonia?
Portugal face neighbouring Spain in the Nations League in June, while North Macedonia go up against Bulgaria.
Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia Highlights: A brace from Bruno Fernandes sees Portugal QUALIFY for the FIFA World Cup 2022 after beating North Macedonia in the World Cup Playoff Final
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