Portugal, the reigning champions of the European Championship, qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Europe region Belgium Serbia content with a draw (2-2) on Saturday. In this group, Luxembourg created a surprise by winning 1-0 in Ireland.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates are in second place with four points, tied with their evening rival leaders. The men of coach Fernando Santos, who dominated throughout the first period, rested on the second effect for the 1000th game years.

Drawn by Jota

Diego Jota believes signing a brace in the first 45 minutes will lay the foundation for a quiet victory. The Liverpool striker, who returned from injury three weeks ago, has advanced twice, each time from the right side of the cross.

The 24-year-old, despite his average height (1.78m), first opened the scoring with a superb cross from Bernardo Silva in the box (11th). He cut a superb serve from Cedric Soares to get the break (36).

If they did not concede even the slightest chance during the first act, the current European champions were selected from the beginning of the second period. Hertha Berlin midfielder Nemanja Radonjic came into the game after returning from the locker room with a loan from Olympique de Marseille, overflowing to the right and placing a cross on Alexander Mitrovic’s head to reduce the score (46th).

Record for Mitrovic

The Fulham center forward, who is synonymous with the record in Serbian selection history, made his 39th appearance for the national team on this occasion. This goal aroused suspicion in the Portuguese team, which immediately seemed calm. This logically re-authorized the Serbian counter-attack.

Radonjic once again fired deep into Philippe Costic, Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder, and then Olympic Lyonnais goalkeeper Anthony Lope (60).

Ronaldo’s slow competition

Cristiano Ronaldo worked hard for the 103rd selection goal, which could bring him closer to the world record (109) set by Iranian Ali Dai, in vain. The Juventus Turin striker was inaccurate, sending a shot from the frame (eighth) and several free kicks (44, 58).

Portugal’s narrow victory over Azerbaijan on Wednesday (1-0) was already unbelievable, as slow as five-time Golden Ball picks.

However, at the last minute of the meeting, after extra time, a cross was recovered from the young Nuno Mendis, and although the ball seemed to cross the boundary, the Dutch referee at the meeting, Shri. Danny McCauley did not validate the goal (90 + 3).

So Portugal lost the first real test of these qualifiers. He will travel to Luxembourg, the winner of Ireland, on Tuesday (1-0) for the third day of these qualifications.

Surprise

Luxembourg’s 1-0 win over Ireland in Dublin created a huge surprise. Dynamo Kiev striker Gerson Rodriguez scored a beautiful strike from 20 meters at the end of the Luxembourg match (85th), which was skipped on the first day of the group of five.

It was the second defeat in two matches for Ireland coach Stephen Kenny. After conceding in Serbia (3-2) on Wednesday.

AFP

Posted: 03/27/2021, 11:24 PM