The set path: Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal know exactly what they need to do to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. But it won’t be easy for the 36-year-old superstar to qualify for what is likely to be his last World Cup.
After the European knockout round draw, Portugal will need to survive two matches if it is to progress to a sixth consecutive World Cup. The first match against Turkey ranked 37th on March 24 or March 25. Overcome the Turks, and the match against the winner of the Italy vs North Macedonia match comes only 5 days later.
The good news for Ronaldo fans is that his team will be playing at home in both matches. Lose either match and it will be the first time Portugal have missed a World Cup since France 1998.
THAN: Other European World Cup knockout matches
Playoff semi-finals: Portugal vs. Turkey
| Day | Semifinals C European Knockout | Time (ET) | channel | Current |
| Thursday, March 24 | Semi-final number 1: Italy compare to North Macedonia | 2:45 pm | TBD | TBD |
| Thursday, March 24 | Semi #2: Portugal compare to Turkey | 2:45 pm | TBD | TBD |
It has been almost 14 years since these two nations have faced off in a competitive match, but history is clearly in favor of the Portuguese. In all 5 confrontations in official tournaments, Portugal is always at the top.
THAN: Which teams have qualified for the 2022 World Cup?
They have also met in three friendlies in their history, and their most recent match was one of those exhibitions in June 2012. That result must have put Portuguese fans on high alert. : Turkey entered the Estadio da Luz and won 3-1 in Portugal’s final match before Euro 2012. The Portuguese returned to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2012, where they lost. Spain on the penalty spot.
Turkey, a country with a population of more than 83 million people (Portugal population is 10 million), has only attended two World Cups in its history (1954 and 2002) and has fallen behind. 37th in the FIFA world rankings. But it gave the Dutch a run for money Group G European Qualifiers, just two points behind Oranje on the final standings, thus qualifying for the knockout round. It played out 6W-1L-3D, beating the Netherlands 4-2 at home and losing 6-1 in Amsterdam.
You never know what you’ll get from Turkey: They might look like world beaters one day, and they might be overwhelmed by everyone else. What is certain is that they will be gritty and hard to break, taking advantage of their opportunities to counterattack and set up shots. The pressure will be on Portugal at home.
🧮 – To reach the C-class play-off final:
8⃣7⃣% Italy (ranked 7th in our World Soccer Ranking)
8⃣1⃣% P Portugal (8)
1⃣9⃣% Turkey (41)
1⃣ 3⃣% North Macedonia (61)To qualify for # World Cup 2022 from C path:
4⃣9⃣% Italy
4⃣1⃣% Portuguese
6⃣% Turkey
4⃣% North Macedonia– Gracenote Live (@GracenoteLive) November 26, 2021
Playoff Finals: Portugal vs Italy or North Macedonia
| Day | Final C of the European knockout round | Time (ET) | channel | Current |
| Tuesday, March 29 | Portugal / Turkey vs Italy / N. Macedonia | 2:45 pm | TBD | TBD |
If Portugal can overcome Turkey, then the match will be waiting for Italy or North Macedonia to win tickets to Qatar 2022. This match will also take place on Portuguese soil, and in addition to home advantage, Portugal also benefits by avoiding the need to advance.
The meeting between Portugal (No. 8) and the defending European champions Italy (No. 6) to win a place in the World Cup will be an epic match. One of two countries that miss out on Qatar 2022 will make headlines.
THAN: Why is Portugal forced to play in the knockout round?
The Italians have the advantage in the official matches with a record of 5W-2L-1D. Since the turn of this century, Italy has also won four friendlies against Portugal, but their last meeting in a major tournament was in the UEFA Nations League with two matches played in 2018. Both both tight-lipped, Portugal eliminated Italy on both occasions. 1-0 and 0-0.
But if the springtime 67th-ranked North Macedonia surprises Italy in the semi-finals, it won’t be threatened by a trip to Portugal after playing in their first major international tournament at Euro 2021. also drew Portugal 0-0 on a friendly trip to Lisbon in May 2012. Portugal narrowly won 1–0 in their only other friendly encounter in 2003.
