Instead of the European champions, Portugal will face 67th in the world rankings in the final duel for a place at the World Cup. Today (8.45 p.m., DAZN) almost everything on paper speaks for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co., the home game in Porto against underdog North Macedonia should be a big party. After the 3-1 victory over Turkey, the 50,000 tickets for the showdown in the Drachenstadion were sold out within a few hours.
“The biggest pressure doesn’t come from the opposition but from our responsibility to be at the finals in Qatar. It would be the same if we played Italy,” said Bernardo Silva, Manchester City midfielder.
For Ronaldo it is about his fifth World Cup participation. The 37-year-old Manchester United star left open whether, in the event of success, the national team would end after the tournament in November and December. “Only I will decide my future, no one else. If I want to keep playing, I’ll keep playing. If not, then not.”
In the parallel play-off game in Chorzow, Silesia, Poland is dueling with a real feared opponent. Sweden won the last six matches at competitive level, including last year’s European Championship with a 3-2 win in St. Petersburg.
Sweden qualified for the showdown with a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic after 120 minutes, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic returning to the Scandinavian squad. The Milan star was suspended on Thursday. After a season plagued by injuries, “Ibra” kept the ball low. “My legs won’t last 90 minutes. But we knew that,” said the 40-year-old. “Enjoy it while I’m in place,” joked Ibrahimovic.
He is also there to help young players like Anthony Elanga. Ibrahimovic played with the father of the 19-year-old from Manchester United more than 20 years ago in Malmo.
Source: Nachrichten
