Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia: Bruno Fernandes sends Portugal to World Cup

Bruno Fernandes despatched Portugal to the World Cup with a double of their play-off ultimate win over North Macedonia.

He then volleyed in Diogo Jota’s cross for the second having helped begin the transfer himself outdoors his personal field.

The Macedonians, who shocked Italy within the semis, supplied little all through.

They by no means seemed like reaching a primary World Cup and failed to check Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa as soon as.

Portugal qualify for his or her sixth World Cup in a row with Ronaldo, 37, going to the match for a fifth and doubtlessly ultimate time.

Fernando Santos has led his nation to Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League and is now concentrating on their first ever World Cup crown.

“I’ve already gained two competitions and I hope I can win the third one in Qatar,” coach Santos stated.

“There was a spirit of mutual assist and nice assist from the general public. It was a deserved and honest win and qualification. I do not bear in mind any nice goalscoring conditions for his or her group.”

Portugal get there ultimately

Portugal sealed their World Cup spot 4 and a half months after they’d hoped to. They had been seconds away from successful their group earlier than Aleksandar Mitrovic’s Ninetieth-minute objective despatched Serbia via as a substitute.

They rode their luck a bit within the semi-final in opposition to Turkey, who missed a penalty at 2-1, earlier than Portugal netted late to make it 3-1.

However there was no actual drama this time in Porto as they outclassed North Macedonia, ranked 67th on this planet, who had given every little thing they needed to knock out Italy final week.

For a number of of this Portugal squad, Qatar shall be their ultimate World Cup and presumably main match.

Striker and captain Ronaldo had a very good probability to open the scoring however fired vast from Otavio’s via ball, earlier than organising Fernandes’ opener.

Defender Pepe, 39, denied Eljif Elmas a uncommon Macedonian probability with a wonderful block within the second half.

Joao Moutinho, at 35, is approaching the tip of his worldwide profession too. The trio have greater than 450 mixed caps.

They need to have gained this sport by extra with Jota heading over and hitting the side-netting.

However now on to Qatar the place they are going to be thought of among the many potential winners of the one main match that has evaded Ronaldo in his profession.

They’re more likely to be among the many prime seeds in Friday’s attract Doha.

Fernandes stated: “An important factor is that Portugal gained. Everybody has ambition, Cristiano and I aren’t any exception. Normally he scores and I help, however in the present day it was the opposite manner round.

“For me, an important factor is to assist the group – if potential with objectives. After all all of us like to attain in each sport, whether or not it is an important sport or the least necessary.

“I take into account our coach’s concepts and that is most likely why I’ve scored this double, from doing what the coach asks of me.”