Lewandowski and Ronaldo for the World Cup, Zlatan stays at home!
Poland wins its playoff final against Sweden 2-0, Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski (33) puts his team on course for victory shortly after the break (49th) with an ice-cold foul penalty. Zielinski made the decision after a Swedish defender (73′).
The recently injured superstar Ibrahimovic (40) has to watch the Swedes from the bench as the World Cup dream bursts. He only comes on ten minutes before the end. Leipzig playmaker Forsberg previously missed the two best Swedish chances (19th + 58th).
On the other hand, at the desert World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo (37)! Portugal beat North Macedonia 2-0 after sensationally knocking out Italy in the semi-finals.
Photo: MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP
” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/cristiano-ronaldo-jubelt-mit-portugals-matchwinner-bruno-fernandes-4abe5408850e42369cda18b7ac73bcd7-79609962/Bild/2.bild.jpg”/> Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Portugal match winner Bruno FernandesPhoto: MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP
Even the 2016 European champions have a hard time against the blatant outsider, if they don’t set off any football fireworks on the pitch in Porto. Ronaldo misses the first top chance (14th), but is then involved in the lead. North Macedonia captain Stefan Ristovski invites Portugal’s Manchester United duo with a catastrophic bad pass, Ronaldo puts across team-mate Bruno Fernandes – 1-0 (32nd). Fernandes makes everything clear with his second goal (65th).
This means that 12 of the 13 European World Cup participants have been determined, and only one ticket will be played. Because of the Russian war of aggression, Ukraine’s playoff semi-final against Scotland was postponed to June. The winner then meets Wales in the final qualifying final.
In Africa’s World Cup qualifiers, Senegal’s superstar Sadio Mané secured the Qatar ticket in a Liverpool duel with Egypt’s Mo Salah. As in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, Mané became a hero in a penalty drama with the last try. Salah, on the other hand, failed from the point.