North Macedonia loses to Portugal in World Cup play-off final
- Post By Nevenka Nikolik
- 21:56, 29 March, 2022
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Porto, 29 March 2022 (MIA) – The Macedonian football team lost 2-0 to Portugal in the World Cup play-off final in Porto on Tuesday.
Bruno Fernandes scored in each half of the play-off match at the Dragao stadium, which gathered 50,000 fans for the game, including 1,500 Macedonians.
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epa09858895 Portugal player Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off qualifying soccer match Portugal vs North Macedonia held on Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, 29 March 2022. EPA-EFE/HUGO DELGADO[/caption]
The first goal came in 32 minutes after a poor backpass by Stefan Ristovski, having Cristiano Ronaldo pass the ball to Fernandes, and the second one in 65 minutes after Enis Bardhi was stopped in his tracks with a tackle, sending Portugal to the World Cup.
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epa09858825 Portugal player Cristiano Ronaldo (R) in action against North Macedonia player Darko Velkoski (2R) during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off qualifying soccer match Portugal vs North Macedonia held on Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, 29 March 2022. EPA-EFE/ESTELA SILVA[/caption]
The Macedonian football players gave effort but failed to put goalkeeper Diogo Costa to a major test.
In addition to Portugal, Poland are through to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after defeating Sweden in their play-off final on Tuesday.
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