Updated on 03/29/2022, 23:00
- Portugal and Poland have qualified for the World Cup in Qatar.
- The Portuguese, led by superstar Ronaldo, beat North Macedonia 2-0 in Porto.
- At the same time, Munich’s star striker Robert Lewandowski and Poland celebrated a deserved 2-0 win over Sweden.
Poland with match winner Robert Lewandowski and Portugal with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo got their World Cup ticket at the last minute. Poland defeated Sweden 2-0 (0-0) in the play-off final and probably ended the international career of veteran star Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Portugal defeated Italy-Schreck North Macedonia 2-0 (1-0) and is going to the finals for the sixth time in a row.
Poland struggled for a long time in Chorzow before Bayern striker Lewandowski scored his 75th international goal from the penalty spot (49′). Piotr Zielinski (72nd) followed up. The team of coach Czeslaw Michniewicz thus takes in Qatar for the second time in a row and for the ninth time in total at a World Cup.
The Poles, who reached the final without a fight after Russia’s exclusion, were harmless, especially before the break. After recovering from knee problems, Lewandowski was the greatest asset and also had the best chance with a header (10th). On the other side had Emil Forsberg from RB Leipzig, who opposed Ibrahimovic (40) was in the starting eleven, the lead was on the foot (19th).
After the break, a foul by Jesper Karlström, who plays for Lech Poznan, on Grzegorz Krychowiak put the Poles on the road to victory: Lewandowski safely converted the penalty down right – and can now hope for the first World Cup goal of his career in Qatar. Zielinski made everything clear.
Portugal continues impressive streak
Meanwhile, Portugal continued an impressive series in front of 50,000 spectators: the Selecao have not missed a World Cup or European Championship since 1998. Match winner in Porto was Bruno Fernandes (32nd/65th).
ronaldo and Co. went into the game warned: outsiders North Macedoniawho recently qualified for a major tournament (EURO 2020) for the first time, had knocked out Italy 1-0 just five days earlier.
Although Portugal struggled, they also got a lot more out of the game. After half an hour the time had come: Bruno Fernandes took an untenable shot after a one-two with his club colleague Ronaldo. After the break, the Manchester United professional followed up with his eighth international goal with a direct acceptance. (dpa/fra)