PORTO, Portugal (AP) — The Portugal fans at the Estádio do Dragão looked stunned when the referee returned from the video review booth and pointed to the ...
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal moved a big step closer to the World Cup with a hard-fought 3-1 home win over Turkey in the playoffs of European qualifying.
For years, opponents knew: If you stop Cristiano Ronaldo, you stop Portugal. With a team filled with talented attackers, that's no longer the case.
A flick to Fernandes instigated the move for Portugal's second goal, which culminated with Otavio crossing for Jota to head in at the far post on 42 minutes. Ronaldo, who has struggled at times in a central role at United this season, highlighted another part of his game by dropping deeper than usual and acting as a link between the lines. Joao Moutinho performed exceptionally in the absence of Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate Neves, anchoring what was largely a one-man midfield as Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes made up a five-man swarm of attacking players with Ronaldo, Jota and Otavio. But they held on, calmed their nerves with the third goal and are now potentially just 90 minutes away from a World Cup that Ronaldo has previously said would mark the end of his international career. Not because they have Ronaldo, but because Portugal now have such a depth of talent that they were able to overcome Turkey despite being without several key players. Portugal made it through to their date with World Cup destiny without Ronaldo adding to his world-record tally of 115 international goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo has never won a World Cup, but will he even get the chance? Portugal has not yet qualified, and at 37 years old, this could be the Man ...
13 It goes without saying that Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals. Cristiano Ronaldo scored all 4 of Portugal's goals in that tie, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both of Sweden's. That being said, qualification has been far from assured for them. Ronaldo was the natural figure to take on star status for his country, as he grew into taking the responsibility off the shoulders of those older players. Portugal's World Cup history is divided into two parts.
PORTO, Portugal (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal moved a big step closer to the World Cup with a hard-fought 3-1 home win over Turkey in the playoffs ...
A video review had awarded the penalty for a foul by José Fonte on Enes Unal. The 85th-minute penalty gave Turkey a chance for an equalizer after Portugal had opened a two-goal lead in their European qualifying playoff semifinal. The 37-year-old Ronaldo has played in soccer’s showcase event four straight times. “He needs to let himself go. “We lost some intensity but in the end the players responded well. “Now we have to focus on North Macedonia,” Santos said.
By Fernando Kallas PORTO (Reuters) - Portugal survived a nervy finale to move one step closer to reaching the World Cup with a 3-1 win over Turkey, wh...
Yilmaz scored following a one-two with Cengiz Under and had the chance to equalise from the spot after the video assistant referee spotted a foul in the penalty area, but sent his effort soaring high over the bar. But Portugal took their foot off the gas in the second half and allowed the visitors to get into the game. But I’m glad we reacted very well.