PORTO (Portugal) – March 30 (ONLINE) Portugal on Wednesday night thumped North Macedonia in a do-or-die fixture with World Cup place at stake, thanks to Bruno Fernandez’s brace.
North Macedonia, who stunned Italy after forcing them to stay away from their second consecutive FIFA World Cup, were unable to restrict Cristiano Ronaldo’s team.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandez eased Portuguese nerves at the Estadio do Dragao by finishing off Cristiano Ronaldo’s pass in the first half and then made the win more comfortable in the second, latching onto an inch-perfect cross from the excellent Diogo Jota.
This victory means Portugal’s sixth consecutive qualification, with last best result of reaching 2006 World Cup Semis, where they were beaten by Germany.
“Goal achieved, we are in the Qatar World Cup,” Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo wrote in his Instagram post.
“That’s our place. Thanks to all Portuguese for the tireless support,” the star footballer further wrote.
Qatar in November will surely present the final opportunity for Portugal coach Fernando Santos to claim international football’s greatest prize. His powers are fading even if he remains influential.
Fernando Santos has no shortage of talent to pack around him, although there have been times, during the latter stages of this qualifying campaign, when the responsibility to haul Ronaldo over the line appeared to play upon Portuguese nerves.
They fluffed their lines against Serbia, spluttered past Turkey in the first play-off tie but they secured progress with little fuss against North Macedonia, conquerors of Italy, last week.
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