Portugal survive late drama to beat Turkey in World Cup playoff semi

PORTO, March 24 (Reuters) – Portugal survived a nervy finale to move just one action closer to achieving the Entire world Cup with a 3-1 get about Turkey, who skipped a late penalty that could have compelled extra time in their playoff semi-last on Thursday.

Roared on by a marketed-out Dragao Stadium in Porto, Portugal dominated the video game from the start and went 2- up in the 1st 50 percent just after Otavio scored one intention and designed one more for Diogo Jota.

But Fernando Santos’s side had been pegged back again by a Burak Yilmaz target in 65th minute that place the Portuguese followers on the edge of their seats as Turkey began to threaten.

Defender Jose Fonte then fouled Enes Unal inside the location in the 85th moment to concede a penalty but Yilmaz fired his energy superior above the bar.

Portugal substitute Matheus Nunes then relieved the pressure on the hosts in added time with their third purpose from a counter assault.

“I was not upset with the crew but we performed with fireplace these days,” Santos advised reporters.

“We had the activity beneath manage but slowed down. Naturally the players are not equipment, we did not control to score for 3- and all those issues can occur in football. But I am glad we reacted pretty very well. That moment (the penalty) could have been tricky for us.”

Right after lacking out on computerized qualification in November, Portugal will now host North Macedonia on Tuesday with the winner qualifying for the 2022 Globe Cup in Qatar.

Portugal would have been anticipating to encounter Italy, but they had been stunned in a 1- defeat to North Macedonia in the other semi-ultimate in Palermo, depriving supporters of a highly anticipated deal with-off in between the past two European champions.

Portugal began strongly, scoring two times in the initial 50 % with the end result wanting like a foregone summary heading into the crack.

Brazilian-born Porto midfielder Otavio, a shock inclusion in the starting up group, offered Portugal’s major attacking menace.

He scored from a rebound in the 15th moment soon after a Bernardo Silva shot came back off the submit and just just before halftime, he crossed from the correct flank for Jota to purpose an unstoppable header into the net.

But Portugal took their foot off the fuel in the next 50 % and authorized the readers to get into the match.

Yilmaz scored subsequent a 1-two with Cengiz Under and had the opportunity to equalise from the spot after the video assistant referee noticed a foul in the penalty place, but despatched his effort and hard work soaring large around the bar.

Reporting by Fernando Kallas
Enhancing by Toby Davis

Our Benchmarks: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.