Preview: Portugal-NMakedonia, Poland-Sweden in the World Cup finals – World – Sports
Stock Photo: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his second team goal during the European Championship 2020 match against Hungary at Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest. AP
Poland vs Sweden
Poland and Sweden are looking to get back to back World Cup when they meet in Chorzow.
Poland received a farewell to the final after Russia was disqualified from the playoffs after the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sweden got there by beating the Czech Republic 1-0 after extra time on Thursday.
As a 40-year-old, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is looking to play in what will probably be his last World Cup and will start on the bench for Sweden.
He is recovering from a hamstring injury. His attacking colleague, Robert Lewandowski, should be in form for Poland after ending up outside the 2-2 match against Scotland in a friendly match on Thursday after having problems with his knees.
Teammate Krzysztof Piatek needed a stitch in a leg ulcer during the Scotland match but trained on Monday.
Portugal v Northern Macedonia
Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo face Northern Macedonia and need to avoid an outrage like the one that ended Italy’s hopes of making it to the World Cup.
Northern Macedonia stunned Italy last week in Palermo and will face Portugal in Porto to try to reach the final for the first time.
Portugal is looking for its sixth straight World Cup appearance and Ronaldo its tenth straight participation in major tournaments.
He would be 41 years old at the 2026 World Cup if Portugal does not manage to get past Northern Macedonia this time.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos will have a more complete squad for the match at the Estadio do Dragao as defenders Pepe and Joao Cancelo are back after missing the 3-1 win against Turkey.
Pepe tested positive for COVID-19 and Cancelo was shut down.
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