Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal e book FIFA World Cup 2022 berth because of Bruno Fernandes brace vs North Macedonia, WATCH
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring 30 minutes into the vital half of after intercepting a pass by his easiest pal, North Macedonia captain Stefan Ristovski, working a colossal one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo earlier than whipping his shot previous the goalkeeper.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (left) congratulates Bruno Fernandes for scoring towards North Macedonia. (List: Reuters)
Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes scored a scientific double as they beat cussed company North Macedonia 2-0 to qualify for the World Cup finals in Qatar after a tense European playoff tie on Tuesday (March 29). Roared on by 50,000 fans at a supplied-out Dragao Stadium in Porto, Portugal dominated the game from the initiating however struggled to collapse the solid North Macedonian defence, managing easiest three shots no longer off beam despite having nearly 70% possession.
Fernandes opened the scoring 30 minutes into the vital half of after intercepting a pass by his easiest pal, North Macedonia captain Stefan Ristovski, working a colossal one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo earlier than whipping his shot previous the goalkeeper. The 27-yr-used attacking midfielder sealed Portugal`s care for in the 65th minute, inserting residence a volley from a Diogo Jota scandalous.
Fernando Santos’s crew then ran down the clock, celebrating on the closing whistle with their tickled fans who remained in the stands for bigger than 15 minutes after the game, singing because the avid gamers carried out a victory lap preserving a massive Portugal flag. “I don’t care about particular person accomplishments however this conceal could be one to maintain in suggestions because it helped my nation to reach a World Cup,” Fernandes urged newshounds.
Glean out about Cristiano Ronaldo support Bruno Fernandes in scoring first aim towards North Macedonia…
The support. The invent. @Cristiano x @B_Fernandes8
A aim made in Manchester. #Ronaldo #BRUNO #Portugalpic.twitter.com/nhpNaxGKEf— Haris Ahmed (@Iconic_Cr7) March 29, 2022
Portugal, who gained the 2016 European Championship in France and the 2019 UEFA Nations League at residence, licensed for a sixth straight World Cup finals and maintain now no longer uncared for a significant international competitors in the final 20 years. “I in actuality maintain already gained two competitions and I’m hoping I will care for the third one in Qatar,” coach Santos urged a news conference.
“There became a spirit of mutual support and colossal enhance from the public. It became a deserved and beautiful care for and qualification. I don`t bear in mind any colossal goalscoring eventualities for their crew.”
They were pushed into the playoffs after finishing 2nd in Crew A, having misplaced their closing sport at residence to Serbia 2-1 final November. That had left them eager to care for two consecutive elimination video games to qualify, with final week’s care for over Turkey, the build they survived uninteresting drama, developing a decider towards North Macedonia, who had disturbed Italy of their opening match.
It became a apprehensive occasion in Porto on Tuesday however Portugal dominated and steer clear off any surprises from the underdogs, who did no longer maintain a shot no longer off beam.
List of European countries licensed for FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar…
1. Belgium
2. Croatia
3. Denmark
4. England
5. France
6. Germany
7. Netherlands
8. Poland
9. Portugal
10. Serbia
11. Spain
12. Switzerland
Wales will play Scotland or Ukraine to mediate the closing European qualifier and entire the 13-crew European lineup. The 2022 World Cup could be played from November 21 to December 18.
(with Reuters inputs)
