Portugal takes Serbia’s turn and goes to the European Qualifiers recap

Portugal had everything to guarantee a spot in the 2022 World Cup, in Qatar, but will need to dispute the recap of the European Qualifiers. This Sunday, the team led by Fernando Santos only needed a draw to qualify and even opened the scoring, but lost in Serbia’s comeback 2-1, at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon. The triumph secured the Serbs at next year’s World Cup.

In the first half, Renato Sanches left the hosts at an advantage after Guidej’s hesitation when leaving the ball, in the first minute, but Tadic equalized in the 34th minute, with a shot from inside the area that deflected on Danilo Pereira and hindered goalkeeper Rui Patrício . In the additions of the second stage, Mitrovic took advantage of a great move by Tadic and turned his head to guarantee Serbia’s victory.

As a result, Serbia took the lead in Group A of the European Qualifiers, with 20 points. Portugal finished in second place, with 17 points, and will need to compete in the repechage to go to the next World Cup.

Playing at home, the Portuguese team opened the scoring in the first minute. Bernardo Silva pressed the visiting ball, stole Guidej’s ball and left it with Renato Sanches, who entered the area with space and kicked hard to beat goalkeeper Rajkovic.

Needing the turn to qualify directly for the World Cup, Serbia launched the attack. On minute 11, Vlahovic received it inside the area, dominated and hit the cross, hitting the post.

At 34, Milinkovic-Savic received a cross and fixed it for Tadic, who took it to the left foot and submitted a strong finish. The ball deflected on Danilo Pereira and got in the way of goalkeeper Rui Patrício, who couldn’t hold back and saw her die inside the goal.

Still in the first half, Kostic swung the net from the outside in a shot that deflected on João Cancelo. Just before the break, Vlahovic scored after getting the submission twice, but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside.

In the second stage, Portugal was even less on the attack, closing completely. Serbia found it difficult to threaten Rui Patrício’s goal, only coming in with headers from Mitrovic.

That was how, however, the visitors sought the turning point. After a great move by Tadic from the right, Mitrovic tested strong downwards and secured the team led by Dragan Stojkovic in the 2022 World Cup.

Spain beats Sweden and also qualifies

Spain also qualified for the 2022 World Cup. This Wednesday, coach Luis Henrique’s team defeated Sweden 1-0 at the Estadio de La Cartuja, in Seville, and confirmed the first position in Group B of the European Qualifiers.

The only goal of the match was scored by Álvaro Morata, in the 40th minute of the second half. After a shot on Dani Olmo’s crossbar, the Juventus center forward had the upper hand inside the area, dominated and played over goalkeeper Olsen to swing the net.

Check out all the results of the European Qualifiers this Sunday:

Malta 0x6 Slovakia
Croatia 1 x 0 Russia
Slovenia 2 x 1 Cyprus
Armenia 1 x 4 Germany
Liechtenstein 0 x 2 Romania
Northern Macedonia 3 x 1 Iceland
Portugal 1 x 2 Serbia
Luxembourg 0 x 3 Ireland
Greece 1 x 1 Kosovo
Spain 1 x 0 Sweden