Portugal booked the qualification for the World Cup, with a 2-0 victory over North Macedonia, today, Tuesday, in the final of the European play-off.
The Portugal national team double scored, Bruno Fernandes, in the 32nd and 65th minutes.
Portugal’s first attempt came in the 13th minute, after Cancelo sent a cross from the right side, followed by Fernandez with a header over the crossbar.
Portugal almost opened the scoring in the 14th minute, alone for Ronaldo, who ended it with a powerful ground kick from inside the area, which passed next to the post.
Portugal returned to form the danger in the 24th minute, after Jota rose to a cross and hit a header that hit the ground and crossed the crossbar.
Portugal opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, after a mistake in passing from Macedonia, Fernandez broke it and passed it to Ronaldo, who in turn took off, before returning and paving the ball to Fernandez on the border of the area, who in turn hit a ground ball into the net.
Macedonia’s confusion continued after Ronaldo sent a cross into the area, the goalkeeper mistook it, and Jota shot it directly next to the post.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Cancelo shot, but the ball went over the crossbar, and the first half ended with Portugal leading with a goal.
Portugal started the second half strongly in the 52nd minute, with a ground shot from Fernandez from outside the penalty area, which was caught by the Macedonian goalkeeper.
Ronaldo looked to kill the match, climbing a cross from a corner kick in the 59th minute, hitting a header that went over the crossbar.
Portugal managed to add the second goal in the 65th minute, after Jota sent a cross into the area to Fernandez, who in turn hit the bird into the net.
Macedonia tried to reduce the difference in the 72nd minute, with a ground shot from outside the area through Bardi, which went wide of the goal.
The remaining minutes did not witness anything new, and the match ended with Portugal winning 2-0 and qualifying for the World Cup.
