The Portuguese national football team has kept its strong chances of reaching the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar by qualifying for the final of the European playoff after a valuable victory over Turkey, winning 3-1 on Thursday in the semi-finals of the third path of the playoff.
Portugal will face North Macedonia in the final of this path next Tuesday, after the North Macedonian team achieved a major surprise by defeating host Italy 1-0 in the other semi-final match, ensuring that the Italian national team (the Azzurri) will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive edition.
The winner of this match next Tuesday will qualify for the World Cup, which will take place in Qatar later this year. Portugal finished the first half in its favor with two goals scored by Otávio and Diogo Jota in the 15th and 42nd minutes.
In the second half, the Turkish star Burak Yılmaz scored his team’s only goal in the 65th minute before missing a penalty for the team in the 85th minute. Meanwhile, substitute Matheus Nunes scored Portugal's third goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Both teams delivered a strong match characterized by speed and enthusiasm, with each missing several chances, as Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo was unlucky in many opportunities but contributed to his team's important victory.
