Portugal WC 2022: It’s time for the last roll of the dice for Portugal as they face a potential 2 matches to ensure their qualification for the Qatar WC.
Os Navegadores face Turkey in a one-shot knockout clash on Thursday before a potential decider vs Italy/North Macedonia for a place in the WC.
This is indeed a make-or-break chance for the Portugal National Football team as they look to avoid missing the flight to the Middle East.
The last time Portugal missed the WC was in the 1998 edition which was played in France and Santos would not want to be the first coach to do so.
HOPES REST ON RONALDO & Co
Also read: World Cup 2022 Qualification Live: Steps required for Portugal to qualify for WC 2022; check out
The hopes of a nation lie on the shoulders of Cristiano Ronaldo and Co as they aim to enter a 6th successive World Cup finals this year.
However, the Portugal side will be without the services of Semedo, Sanches and Ruben Dias in these qualifiers due to injury.
On Thursday, if Portugal manage a win over Turkey, they still have a chance to potentially meet Italy in a must-win clash to stay in contention.
With Ronaldo turning 37 this year, we could well be seeing the iconic player miss out on a World Cup berth, if the plans aren’t executed professionally.
Hence, there is plenty of pressure on the shoulders of him and his teammates to excel and surpass their toughest examination over the next week.
🇵🇹 Portugal step up the preparations ⌛️
World Cup play-offs 🔜#WCQ pic.twitter.com/qUWmS8NQy9
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 23, 2022
Injured Players
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Pepe recently contracted Covid on arrival at the team base for the Qualifiers, due to which he needs to complete a mandatory quarantine.
As a result of which, the experienced campaigner is set to miss out on the qualifiers as well alongside the three others mentioned above and Cancelo.
We expect the Portuguese side to overcome Turkey but the probability of getting past the Euro 2020 winners, Italy could be down to Ronaldo once again.
Portugal will be WITHOUT these three for their huge World Cup play-off vs Turkey 😳🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/FcHEdTUN2g
— FTBL (@ftblofficial) March 17, 2022
It’s now or never for the Portugal side as they face their toughest test within the next week and would look to pass with flying colors and a plane ticket.
