Portugal's World Cup ambitions took one step closer to being realised as they toppled Turkey on Thursday night, though they were made to sweat during their 3-1 victory.
The stakes were extraordinarily high for Fernando Santos' side as they went into the tie knowing defeat would spell the end of their hopes of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Arguably more noteworthy, it would have meant Russia four years ago was the last the footballing world had seen of Cristiano Ronaldo on the World Cup stage.
Fear not, however, as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner helped his country take one step closer to the game's biggest tournament later this year. Ronaldo will be desperate to have the eyes of the globe on him just as he likes it come November. Portugal's starting line-up, particularly their backline were notably makeshift in the wake of a number of injuries that came at the worst possible time for the Selecao.
