Cristiano Ronaldo (36, Portugal) qualified for the fourth consecutive World Cup finals became more difficult. We have to overcome the huge wall of ‘Euro champion’ Italy.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 European Qualifier draw draw was held in Zurich, Switzerland on the 27th (Korean time).
In the European qualifier playoffs, 12 countries compete for three qualifying tickets. Portugal was formed in ‘PATH C’ to face Turkey. Only by defeating Turkey and defeating the winner of Italy vs North Macedonia can they advance to the Qatar World Cup finals.
Portugal lost 1-2 in the final match of Group A in the European qualifier against Serbia on the 15th. They failed to qualify for the Qatar World Cup as they lost their first place in the group to Serbia. You must pass the playoffs to qualify for the finals.
For Portugal, Turkey is also a formidable opponent, and Italy, which has the potential to overpower North Macedonia, is also facing Italy, making it impossible to guarantee that they will qualify for the World Cup finals.
Portugal’s captain Ronaldo reached the finals of the World Cup four times in a row, from the 2006 World Cup in Germany to 2010 South Africa, 2014 Brazil and 2018 Russia. Considering that he was born in 1985, next year’s Qatar tournament is the last tournament he can compete in.
Meanwhile, in ‘PATH A’, Scotland vs Ukraine, Austria vs Wales, and ‘PATH B’, Russia vs Poland, and Sweden vs Czech Republic compete for a place in the World Cup finals.
In the Qatar World Cup, a total of 13 tickets will be awarded to Europe. Defending champion France and FIFA ranking No. 1 Belgium, as well as Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Croatia, Switzerland, Serbia and Denmark, have confirmed their departure to Qatar.
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