In pain, Portugal has done half the job. Winner of Turkey on Thursday March 24 in their Estadio do Dragao in Porto (3-1), the Seleçao played to be very scared and saw the threatening shadow of an uncertain extension approaching when Burak Yilmaz came forward to take a penalty less than ten minutes from the end of the match.
While Portugal led by two goals, the Losc striker had already given hope to Turkey (65th) and could fully relaunch this semi-final of the play-offs. It was before he completely missed his attempt (85th) and offered qualification to Portugal.
The Dragon stadium has therefore gone through all the emotions, and to hope to validate its qualification for the World Cup at the start of next week in the final of the play-offs, the Seleçao will have to maintain a high level of performance throughout the meeting.
Because there will have been very good, as in the first period. Coach Fernando Santos surprised his world by starting the inexperienced Otavio in place of Joao Félix. A paying choice, because the FC Porto player, who played at home tonight, was omnipresent in this meeting. First scorer by taking advantage of a ball that trailed in the area (15th), Otavio was then decisive passer for the goal of the head of Diogo Jota (42nd).
But also much worse, when Turkey insisted for ten minutes to equalize after the first Portuguese goal. But Diogo Costa remained vigilant on a strike from Orkun Kökcü (27th), when Cengiz Ünder (21st), Berkan Kutlu (23rd) and Yilmaz (25th) lacked precision. There will therefore have been this fright at the end of the match, this goal from Yilmaz following a brilliant pass from Ünder, then this penalty missed by the Losc striker which brings Portugal closer to the World Cup.
The Dragon Stadium sighed with relief at the very end of the game when Matheus Nunes hit the nail on the head in added time (90+3rd). A third goal which almost preceded a fourth, but Cristiano Ronaldo, far from being at his best, hit the crossbar (90 + 5th) at the last second. After great scares against Turks with variable geometry, Portugal will have to be wary of North Macedonia.
Against all expectations, Italy, European champion, was eliminated by the Macedonians (0-1). It is therefore against this selection that Portugal will play its qualification for the next World Cup, next Tuesday. Fernando Santos and his players will have the chance to play at home, once again at the Estadio do Dragao. Already ultra-favorites of this match, they will seek to obtain a twelfth participation in a row in a major international competition. Portugal have not missed the World Cup since 1998.