Cristiano Ronaldo basically assured that Portugal would make the 2022 FIFA World Cup in its very last European group-level qualifier at home in opposition to Serbia. But the assure got here up short and now he's going to should sweat it out simply to make what's going to in all likelihood be his ultimate World Cup.
Portugal entered the very last group fit in first area in Europe's Group A, and a win or draw might were enough for it to book its ticket to Qatar 2022. Instead, it misplaced to Serbia 2-1 on a past due aim, finishing second and settling for a gap inside the playoffs to determine whether the 36-year-vintage Ronaldo gets a hazard to close out his legendary career with a World Cup trophy.
But the playoffs may be complex: Portugal will must win separate one-off knockout matches or leave out out on the World Cup for the primary time given that 1998. Portugal and Ronaldo lovers will be praying the playoff draw is kind to them.
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European qualifying Group A final standings
Ronaldo changed into visibly unhappy with his Portugal head educate Fernando Santos following the suit:
IMAGENS EXCLUSIVAS DA TNT SPORTS! O CLIMA ESQUENTOU! Cristiano falou poucas e boas seasoned técnico Fernando Santos depois do apito very last contra a Sérvia... #EliminatóriasNaTNTSports %.Twitter.Com/kZr1M48gFM
Twelve European countries — the ten second-location organization finishers and two teams from the UEFA Nations League group winners — may be doing conflict for three World Cup spots. They can be break up into three brackets of four groups each and every of these three brackets could have a unmarried World Cup price ticket on the line.
The 4 groups in every of the three brackets will first play a unmarried-elimination semifinal level (March 24-25) with the losers going domestic. The winners improve to a single-removal playoff very last (March 28-29). Only the winner of the final will make it to Qatar.
The draw to determine the 4-team brackets will take area on Nov. 26. Ronaldo's Portugal joins European champions Italy most of the surprise teams that dropped into the 12-crew playoff area (indexed below in alphabetical order). The pinnacle six nations might be seeded and could host the semifinal fits. The host of the finals could be determined by using a FIFA draw:
