The European champions of 2016 clearly prevailed in the final of the playoffs against Italy-Schreck North Macedonia. A man becomes a match winner. Poland eliminates Sweden at the same time.
The whole of Portugal cheers: the team around Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo drives to World Cup 2022 to Qatar. In the decisive game of the playoffs, the Iberians prevailed against North Macedonia, who conquered Italy. Bruno Fernandes scored twice (32′, 65′) to win the hosts 2-0 (1-0) in Porto.
The Portuguese continued an impressive series: since 1998 the team has not missed a World Cup or European Championship.
Ronaldo and Co. went into the game warned: outsiders North Macedonia, who recently qualified for a major tournament (EURO 2020) for the first time, had eliminated Italy 1-0 five days earlier. With Visar Musliu from second division bottom FC Ingolstadt in the starting XI, the number 67 in the world rankings relied on a compact defense from the start.
Although Portugal struggled, they also got a lot more out of the game. After half an hour it was time. Bruno Fernandes took an untenable shot after a one-two with his club-mate Ronaldo. After the break, the Manchester United professional followed up with his eighth international goal with a direct acceptance.
Lewandowski put Poland on course for the World Cup
Poland also got their ticket to the World Cup finals – with a 2-0 (0-0) win over Sweden. Bayern star Robert Lewandowski (49′, penalty kick) and Piotr Zielinski (72′) made the team celebrate. The team coached by Czeslaw Michniewicz is taking part in a World Cup in Qatar for the second time in a row and for the ninth time in total.
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). At the other end, Emil Forsberg from RB Leipzig, who, in contrast to Ibrahimovic (40), was in the starting line-up, had the lead on his toes (19′).
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.