Italy, the European champions, were eliminated Thursday in the semi-finals of the World Cup qualifiers in Palermo against North Macedonia (1-0) and will miss the world championship for the second time in a row.
The Macedonians achieved the feat thanks to a goal from Alexander Trajkovsky in extra time, while Italy dominated the encounter. Macedonia will meet Portugal next Tuesday, who defeated Turkey (3-1) in the World Cup final in Qatar.
Wales advances to the final
Wales, who holds the Gareth Bale double, beat Austria 2-1 on Thursday in Cardiff, in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and qualified for the final.
The Welsh captain opened the scoring with a superb free kick (25) before returning it with a shot from the porthole (51), while Ben Davies collided with an attempt by Marcel Sabitzer in his camp (65th place). The Welshman, who has not participated in the World Cup since 1958, will meet in June with the winner of the half-time between the Scots and the Ukrainians, which was postponed due to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.
Portugal qualifies for the play-off final
The Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo was very afraid, but he won Thursday 3 goals to 1 over Turkey in the semi-finals of the European qualifiers in the World Cup 2022, at the Dragon Stadium in Porto (north).
Lusitanian opened the scoring through Brazilian Luso Otavio (15, 1-0), before breaking with a goal by Diogo Jota (43, 2-0). Lille striker Burak Yilmaz reduced the difference in the second half (65, 2-1) and Mateos Nunes scored at the end of the match (90 + 4).
In the qualifiers final on Tuesday on a venue in Qatar (November 21 – December 18), they will once again welcome North Macedonia at the Dragon Stadium, a sudden fall from the European champions Italy, in the other half. Final (1-0).
