Portugal will be looking to capitalise where their Italian counterparts failed to, in overcoming a North Macedonia team which currently occupies the 67th ranking in the world.
The UEFA qualifying playoff finals take place on Tuesday evening with three European nations yet to confirm their participation at the World Cup finals in Qatar. The Portuguese swept aside Turkey, 3-1, in the semifinals while North Macedonia recorded a shock 1-0 win over European champions Italy.
Portugal now welcome North Macedonia to the Estadio do Dragão in Porto where the victors will advance to the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup later this year. Earlier this week Cristiano Ronaldo claimed “there is no World Cup without Portugal”, and the Seleção skipper will be looking to add to his existing 115 goals for his country – the most goals scored by any player in the history of international football.
🗣 Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of tomorrow’s showdown against North Macedonia:
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) March 28, 2022
“Tomorrow is a final. There is no World Cup without Portugal. Favourites? Wherever we go, I am always a favourite. There is a responsibility to win this game.”
👀👀 pic.twitter.com/qMfyycOlnm
The home side seek to qualify for a sixth World Cup tournament on the trot, while their visitors are bidding to make a first appearance at the WC finals since the country gained independence in 1991. Joining Portugal or North Macedonia at the showpiece will be either Poland or Sweden, who take to battle also on Tuesday.
Sweden escaped with a slender 1-0 win against the Czech Republic in extra-time after the teams could not be separated in regular time. Poland, meanwhile, progressed directly to the playoff finals after their semifinal opponents Russia were suspended in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine are still to contest their semifinal clash with Scotland in June, thereafter the winners will lock horns with Wales in the third playoff final. Wales beat out Austria, 2-1, in the semis with thanks to Gareth Bale’s double.
Poland striker Robert Lewandowski has scored eight goals and given four assists in 11 qualifying games, with Harry Kane and Memphis Depay the only players with more direct goal contributions during qualifiers.
Aside from UEFA WCQ, other confederations also wrap up their qualifiers in the coming days. Five nations from Africa (CAF) will put their names in the hat for the group stage draw later this week. Egypt have a one-goal cushion over Senegal ahead of the second leg on Tuesday. The first leg between Ghana and Nigeria ended goalless with everything on the line in the return leg. Algeria edged Cameroon, 1-0, in their first of two encounters, whilst Tunisia came out on top (1-0) over Mali. The opening leg of Morocco and DR Congo ended all square, 1-1.
In South America the trio of Peru, Colombia and Chile are all in contention to finish 5th in the CONMEBOL WCQ which will earn one of them an intercontinental playoff against Australia or UAE. Qualifying in North and Central Americas (CONCACAF) also concludes in the coming days with USA and Mexico on the brink of punching their tickets to Qatar. Provided the USMNT take at least one point from their final qualifier, Costa Rica will end 5th and will partake in a once-off playoff versus New Zealand or Solomon Islands.
The main draw for the 2022 World Cup group stage will be held on Friday, April 1. The tournament is scheduled to kick off November 21, with the Final at the Lusail Stadium on December 18.
