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The final few places at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are about to be decided and we have an unexpected playoff taking place in Porto, as Portugal host North Macedonia. Only one of these teams can progress from to the World Cup finals, so it is all or nothing for the two teams. Cristiano Ronaldo and co. will be determined to make it to Qatar, while Macedonia are fresh from eliminating Euro 2020 winners Italy. On this live blog, we'll be covering all the action from what should be a fascinating contest.
World Cup Playoffs: Portugal vs North Macedonia FINAL SCORE: 2-0
This is the very beginning of our live blog for the 2022 World Cup playoff between Portugal and North Macedonia. All of the updates will follow on below, with the ones nearest the top the most recent.
Full time - Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia
PORTUGAL ARE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP! A double from Bruno Fernandes sends the Euro 2016 winners to Qatar. Fernando Santos' men were in complete control from the off with the away side totally outclassed and never managed a shot on target throughout the game.
Minutee 86 - Portugal go for third
Substitute Rafael Leao with some good dribbling decides to feed Ronaldo, who is unable to get his shot away. The then AC Milan man gets down the left and again finds Ronaldo, but he can't get the ball out his feet.
Minute 79 - End to end
North Macedonia have two players down in the Portugal box, and are also claiming a penalty. The referee waves play on and Portugal break through Bruno Fernandes and his low cross to Cristiano Ronaldo is booted clear.
Minute 72 - Portugal dominant
That second goal has started celebrations in the stands as Portugal are less than 20 minutes away from booking their place in the 2022 World Cup. North Macedonia have it all to do, but have rarely caused the Portugal backline any issues.
Minute 65 - GOAL PORTUGAL!
It's Bruno Fernandes again! A delightful ball over the top of the defence by Jota is volleyed home by the Manchester United man to double Portugal's lead and make World Cup qualification almost certain.
Minute 60 - Trajkovski off
The man who got North Macedonia past Italy will not be repeating his Palermo heroics in Porto as he has been taken off and replaced by Churlinov.
Minute 50 - Scrappy for now
Since the break, the game has been pretty scrappy from both sides.
Portugal get the second half underway
Can North Macedonia get back into it
Half time - Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia
Bruno Fernandes goal is the difference between the two sides and has Portugal with one foot in Qatar as it stands. North Macedonia has a couple of half chances, but on the whole it was the home team who have controlled the game.
Minute 40 - Just what Portugal wanted
That goal has calmed the Portuguese nerves, as they no longer need to force their play and can sit back a little and wait on North Macedonia mistakes. The atmosphere in Porto has also gone up a notch.
Minute 32 - GOAL PORTUGAL!
Bruno Fernandes gets the opener. A mistake from Ristovski gifts the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo and he plays in Bruno Fernandes and he lashes home from just inside the box.
Minute 24 - Jota header
Another excellent chance for Portugal as Jota gets on the end of a corner, heading the ball into the ground but it bounces over the crossbar.
Minute 20 - North Macedonia chances
The away side have given the Portuguese a little warning with Alioski having a go from distance, before he has another go which is just wide of the post.
Minute 10 - Portugal in control
Portugal have started to find their rhythm and Bernardo Silva and Joao Moutinho are playing their part, building things from deep. Without the ball they're pressing high, forcing North Macedonia to go long and lose the ball.
Minute 5 - A slow start
Portugal have enjoyed most of the ball so far but haven't done much with it. It's been a slow start with neither side wanting to risk anything, knowing what's on the line.
Here we go!
Kick off at the Estadio do Dragao
Portugal vs North Macedonia - Official line-ups
No Joao Felix in the Portugal starting XI, as Cristiano Ronaldo is supported by Liverpool's Diogo Jota and Manchester City man Bernardo Silva.
Portugal: Diogo Costa - Cancelo, Danilo, Pepe, Nuno Mendes - Bruno Fernandes, Joao Moutinho, Otávio - Cristiano Ronaldo (c), Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva
North Macedonia: Dimitrievski - Ristovski (c), Musliu, Velkovski, Alioski - Ademi, Kostadinov - Elmas, Bardhi, Trajkovski - M. Ristovski
Wins over Turkey and Italy
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are into the World Cup playoff after overcoming Turkey in the previous round. A 3-1 win courtesy of goals from Otavio, Diogo Jota and Matheus Nunes was enough to see Fernando Santos' side through. North Macedonia produced a huge upset when a 92nd minute goal against Euro 2020 winners put then through.
Portugal vs North Macedonia predicted line-ups
Portugal's predicted line-up (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Danilo Pereira, Jose Fonte, Raphael Guerreiro; Bernardo Silva, Joao Moutinho, Bruno Fernandes; Otavio, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota
North Macedonia's predicted line-up (4-3-3): Stole Dimitrievski; Stefan Ristovski, Darko Velkovski, Visar Musliu, Ezgjan Alioski; Eljif Elmas, Tihomir Kostadinov, Enis Bardhi; Darko Churlinov, Milan Ristovski, Aleksandar Trajkovski.
When does Portugal vs North Macedonia start?
This Sunday's match between Portugal and North Macedonia kicks off at 19:45 CEST, the local time in Portugal. For those living in the UK, you can tune in at 19:45 BST. For American viewers, the match will begin at 14:45 ET/ 11:45 PT.
Where to watch Portugal vs North Macedonia?
The 2022 World Cup playoff duel between Portugal and North Macedonia will take place on Tuesday, March 29. For those living in the UK you can watch the game on Sky Sports Action, while viewers in the USA can tune in via ESPN+, UniMas, TUDN USA and ESPN2.