Portugal’s road to the World Cup blocked by the surprise package Northern Macedonia
For Ronaldo, the leading international goal scorer of all time at the age of 37, this will surely be his last World Cup if Portugal get there.
They have veteran defender Pepe available again after an attack by Covid-19, while Joao Cancelo will also return.
“We have a responsibility to get to the World Cup so that means the press is there no matter who we play. We know very well that we have to be in Qatar,” said Manchester City star Bernardo Silva.
Portugal, who will be among the best seeders if they qualify, have not missed a World Cup since 1998, while the European Championship 2020 was the first major tournament appearance of any kind for Northern Macedonia.
They have already defeated Germany as well as Italy away in this campaign, while they drew 0-0 in a friendly match on their one previous visit to Portugal, 2012.
“We are well on our way to confirming why we are among the top 20 teams in Europe,” said their coach, Blagoja Milevski.
– Poland and Sweden meet again –
The second play-off final for the World Cup qualifiers in Europe on Tuesday, Poland will host Sweden in the southern Polish city of Chorzow, where the Poles want to end six straight losses against their opponents.
Poland, who finished second behind England in their qualifying group, got a bye to this match after planned semi-final opponents Russia were suspended from all international football until further notice after the invasion of Ukraine.