Portugal survive late scare to set up World Cup showdown with North Macedonia
Portugal survived a nervous ending to move one step closer to reaching the World Cup with a 3-1 win over Turkey in their playoff semi-final on Thursday.
Macedonia Sport News
Portugal Survive Late Drama To Beat Turkey And Stay On Track For FIFA World Cup
Portugal are through to a decisive World Cup qualifying play-off final next week after beating Turkey 3-1 in Porto on Thursday, but only after Burak Yilmaz missed a crucial late penalty for the visitors. The home side were cruising at the Estadio do Dragao thanks to first-half goals by Brazilian-born midfielder Otavio and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. But Turkey's veteran skipper Yilmaz pulled a goal back in the 65th minute, setting up a tense finish. Turkey were then awarded a late penalty when a foul on Enes Unal was detected by the German referee following a VAR review, but Yilmaz put the spot-kick over the bar and Matheus Nunes secured Portugal's victory in stoppage time.
Italy's Roberto Mancini on World Cup miss after North Macedonia shock: 'I don't know what to say'
Italy manager Roberto Mancini was left with a loss for words following his side's shocking 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia that will leave the Azzurri out of the World Cup for the second straight time.
Mancini unsure on future after Italy lose to North Macedonia and miss out on 2022 World Cup
Roberto Mancini has admitted to being unsure about his future as Italy head coach after seeing his side lose to North Macedonia and miss out on a place at the 2022 World Cup.
Soccer - World Cup woes continue for Italy's European champions
Italy broke English hearts last July as they won the European Championship final but after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second straight tournament they have left fans thinking their Wembley triumph was a flash in the pan.
Italy 0-1 North Macedonia: 'We are destroyed and crushed', says Giorgio Chiellini
Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini said his team-mates are «destroyed and crushed» after losing to North Macedonia and failing to reach the 2022 World Cup.
England fans mock Italy in revenge for their Euro 2020 final defeat
Fans have taken to social media to poke fun at Italy after they missed out on a second successive World Cup losing 1-0 at home to North Macedonia in their playoff semi-final.
‘It’s too early’ – Roberto Mancini 'too disappointed' to discuss future after North Macedonia loss
Roberto Mancini says that he is too disappointed to discuss his future after his side’s shock loss against North Macedonia in their World Cup qualification play-off semi-final. Italy dominated for large swathes of the encounter at Stadio Renzo Barbera, but Aleksander Trajkovski delivered a fatal blow late on. Ad/> It means the European champions have failed to qualify for the last two editions of the World Cup.