From the 2016 Euro finalist to the 2022 World Cup barrage, what happened to the Portuguese election? Defeat against Serbia (1-2) this Sunday, November 14, Cristiano Ronaldo and his team will have to go through the playoffs To validate their ticket to Qatar and the 2022 World Cup.

Particularly dangerous exercise: Out of the 12 European selections competing in this play – off stage, only three will compete in the World Cup After a mini tournament. At this time, the Portuguese are acting as favorites. Sweden, Russia and possibly Italy, who will have to go through the play-offs if they perform poorly in Northern Ireland or Switzerland on Monday, November 15, could play a problematic part.

In Portugal, a man is singled out: Coach Fernando Santos. He said after the defeat to Serbia that Portugal would be in Qatar. At the final whistle, like footage from Brazilian television shows, his top player Cristiano Ronaldo looked very annoying to his coach.

“This is my responsibility,” the technician admitted after the defeat. Prior to this international break, Portugal were in fine form with five wins and a draw in six games. But for the Portuguese, an ineffective (0-0) win over Ireland, a last-minute defeat against Serbia, and ultimately no direct qualification.

If Seleção does not qualify, an image may be haunted for a long time: A goal was unjustified at the end of the first quarter against Serbia (2-2), In March. The Manchester United star was outraged when referee Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score when the ball crossed the line.

Portugal have not lost a major international since the 1998 World Cup in France. In recent years, the selection has won its first two international titles: the Euro 2016 and the 2019 League of Nations.

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