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.
Danilo and Jose Fonte handled the threat of Turkey's attack comfortably enough, but the bulk of the action was inspired by Portugal's star-studded array of forward players. 115 goals over the course of an international career that has already seen him lift the European Championship but Ronaldo failed to add another as his search for an elusive World Cup continues.
The forward's first sight of goal came inside the opening 10 minutes when his Manchester United teammate Diogo Dalot found him in plenty of space just inside the opposition penalty area, but the 37-year-old uncharacteristically fired well over the bar after hitting it first time. A better chance fell to the feet of Liverpool star Diogo Jota just two minutes later, but he too failed to keep his strike below the crossbar from yards out.
Portugal's pressure eventually told after Porto forward Otavio responded fastest once Bernardo Silva's effort fired off the post, the 27-year-old clearly feeling at home inside the Estádio do Dragao - the stadium of his club side. It slightly sparked the visitors into life, though Stefan Kuntz's side failed to make their brief spell of pressure count.
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They were made to pay shortly after when Jota remarkably managed to give Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir the eyes while waiting for Bruno Fernandes ' cross to drop before directing a powerful header beyond the shot-stopper at his near post.
Burak Yilmaz put a spring in the step of the Turkish side with his calmly taken strike just after the hour mark to reduce Portugal's lead to one goal with plenty of second-half left to play. Following a VAR review of a Fonte challenge Enes Unal late on, Yilmaz was offered the chance to take the tie into extra-time from the penalty spot.
The tension was palpable as the Portugal outfield stars could only stand and hope. Their prayers were duly answered as much to the relief of the home faithful, Turkey's talisman fired his spot-kick over the bar and sealed his country's fate.
Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure for much of the night, but such was Turkey's determination to try and nullify the threat he posed they inadvertently gave the likes of Jota, Fernandes and Silva far too much room to operate. On two separate occasions Portugal's skipper lost his footing at vital times.
The former Real Madrid forward's lowest moment came in second-half stoppage time, as he failed to prod the ball over the line from little more than six yards out with the keeper helpless. Ronaldo turned around half hoping to see the linesman's flag go up to spare his blushes.
The game was put beyond any doubt just one minute later when Matheus Nunes held his nerve to slot home, sparking jubilant celebrations inside the ground. Ronaldo was left laughing to himself in frustration when he struck the crossbar shortly after his side's third.
Victory means Portugal will take on North Macedonia in Tuesday's final with a place in Qatar up for grabs after they stunned the Azzurri at the Renzo Barbera stadium. At 37 years of age, Ronaldo must be all too aware that even someone as superhuman as he may struggle to be there when the next chance arises by the time he is 41.
