The two selections meet in Porto on Thursday with the aim of remaining in the race for qualification for the World Cup.
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Crucified by a goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic in the last moments of the final match of the qualifying phase, the Portuguese must go through the play-offs to reach the World Cup in Qatar, when they had their destiny in hand. A journey that begins Thursday, March 24 in Porto against Turkey. Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates must prevail if they want to afford a final at home against Italy or North Macedonia.
A defeat against Burak Yilmaz’s teammates would deprive the Portuguese of the World Cup for the first time since 1998. With the major absences of Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nelson Semedo and Renato Sanches, Fernando Santos has cause for concern. Disillusionment could deprive Cristiano Ronaldo of his last World Cup. Aged 37 today, it is not certain that he can be there in 2026 in North America.