No new stunt: Portugal at the expense of North Macedonia to World Cup | Football

sport">North Macedonia surprised friend and foe last week by denying European champions Italy access to the World Cup. That clever stunt had to be repeated on Tuesday against the European champion Portugal, who was dethroned last year.

sport">The tactic was the same as against the Italians. Keep things closed and hope for a rare chance. But where that succeeded on Thursday, Portugal broke through the defense after half an hour. After a disastrous pass in the build-up, Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo took off together. In the end it was Fernandes who signed for the 1-0.

sport">North Macedonia therefore had to leave the defensive positions a little more. That gave Portugal the opportunity to strike twenty minutes after the break. Again it was Fernandes, who this time on a pass from Diogo Jota, found the net. He thus sealed the fate of the Macedonians and personally gave Portugal a place in a ball in Friday’s draw.

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