Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia: 5 Hits and Flops as Bruno Fernandes brace takes Selecao to Qatar | FIFA World Cup Playoff Final 2022
Portugal beat North Macedonia 2-0 at the Estadio do Dragao to secure their place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Portugal looked like the better team from the starting whistle in their playoff final against North Macedonia, who defended with everything they had. They showed the same grit when they played Italy last week until Stefan Ristovski made a huge blunder.
The Macedonian captain misplaced a pass at the back that landed Bruno Fernandes' way, and the midfielder made no mistake. He got hold of that misplaced pass and scored the first goal after a one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo. Fernandes then doubled his team's advantage in the second half to confirm A Selecao's place at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Qatar 2022, aqui vamos NΓS! 
#VamosComTudo
ππππ¦π¦π π π¨π‘ππππ ππ΅πΉ Qatar 2022, aqui vamos NΓS! ππ #VamosComTudo
π΅πΉ 2-0 π²π° https://t.co/aKLbu0Hys4
On that note, here's a look at the five hits and flops from either team in the game:
#5 Hit: Pepe (Portugal)
Pepe had an exceptional game at the back for the hosts. He showed what the hosts missed in their previous game. The former Real Madrid star rolled back the years and played his heart out.
He won all of his six duels, made six recoveries, won three tackles, made three clearances, completed the most passes (77) and made one interception in the game. The 39-year-old led by example at the back. A Selecao will be a force at the back in Qatar with Pepe and Ruben Dias leading their backline.
Pepe: Sonhar estΓ‘ ao alcance de todos. Temos muita qualidade mas temos de trabalhar muito e ser uma equipa humilde e guerreira.π¬ Pepe: Sonhar estΓ‘ ao alcance de todos. Temos muita qualidade mas temos de trabalhar muito e ser uma equipa humilde e guerreira.
#VamosComTudo
#4 Flop: Stefan Ristovski (North Macedonia)
Stefan Ristovski had a game to forget. The Macedonian captain made a huge error that led to the opening goal of the game. Ristovski's attempted pass at the back was latched on by Fernandes, allowing him to combine with Ronaldo before scoring.
Ristovski also struggled on numerous occasions against Nuno Mendes, who kept the pressure on every time he advanced higher up the pitch. Apart from the occasional jitters, Ristovski had a decent game but it was not good enough to undo the damage done.