Bruno Fernandes scored twice to send Portugal to the 2022 World Cup with a 2-0 win over North Macedonia in Porto.
North Macedonia went into the play-off final eyeing another huge upset, after beating Italy 1-0 in the semi-final with a stoppage-time winner.
Portugal had other ideas though and Fernandes scored in both halves to book his country’s place in Qatar. They have qualified for every World Cup since 1998, and will be a top seed in Friday’s draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo stated in the build-up that this was the “game of our lives”, and that pressure perhaps showed as Portugal made a slow start to the match.
North Macedonia passed the ball around confidently, though were given a real scare with 15 minutes played. Otavio played a lovely pass through to Ronaldo, he had only the goalkeeper to beat but pulled his effort wide of the far post.
Diogo Jota should have given the home side the lead shortly after when he sent his header down into the ground and over the bar, though the goal did come for Portugal as they ruthlessly punished an error.
Stefan Ristokvski played a dreadful pass straight to Fernandes, he played a great one-two with Ronaldo and then fired the shot into the bottom corner to bring back the party atmosphere in the stands.
Jota could have doubled the lead before the break, sending his effort into the side-netting as he lost balance, with Portugal finishing the half well on top.
North Macedonia saw plenty of the ball in the second-half as the home side sat back, cautiously holding on to what they had.
Space increasingly opened up for them though as the visitors piled men forward, and they took full advantage midway through the second period.
A brilliant tackle from Pepe set Portugal away, Jota clipped a lovely ball over the top for Fernandes and his half-volley past Stole Dimitrievski was absolutely perfect as he got his second of the night to put his side in complete control.
Darko Velkovski produced a wonderful challenge to deny Ronaldo who looked set to have a tap-in, after Fernandes squared it for his Manchester United teammate.
There was to be no goal for Ronaldo, nor any late heroics from North Macedonia on this occasion, as Portugal comfortably saw out the final minutes to book their place in Qatar at the end of the year. They certainly have the talent to make it a successful trip.
