Portugal reach 2022 World Cup with Bruno Fernandes double against North Macedonia

Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Portugal beat stubborn visitors North Macedonia 2-0 to qualify for the World Cup finals in Qatar after a tense European playoff.

Roared on by 50,000 fans at a sold-out Dragão Stadium in Porto, Portugal dominated the game from the start but struggled to break down the strong North Macedonia defence, managing only three shots on target despite having almost 70% possession.

Fernandes opened the scoring after half an hour after intercepting a pass by his best friend, the North Macedonia captain Stefan Ristovski, working a great one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo before whipping his shot past the goalkeeper.

North Macedonia stunned Italy in Palermo last week in their semi-final but then the 27-year-old attacking midfielder sealed the win in the 65th minute, striking home a close-range volley from a Diogo Jota cross.

Portugal qualified for a sixth successive World Cup finals and have not missed a major international competition in the past 20 years.