Portugal vs North Macedonia: Ronaldo starts in incredible play-off final

Portugal take on North Macedonia in a winner-takes-all playoff final for a spot in the 2022 World Cup.

Portugal take on North Macedonia in an all-important fixture and the stakes could not a higher.

A spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is up for grabs, and all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo to lead his side to glory.

North Macedonia come into the game, high on confidence after knocking Italy out in the play-off semi-final last week.

Ronaldo has urged his side to not take the visitors lightly, but admitted he was confident of coming away with all three points.

“We were surprised,” Ronaldo admitted of the Balkan side’s 1-0 semi-final victory over Italy.

“North Macedonia has surprised in many matches. But I don’t think they will surprise us tomorrow. Portugal will play better and we will make it to the World Cup.”

🗣 “People think it will be an easier match for Portugal. In my opinion it will be an extremely difficult match.”

Cristiano Ronaldo gives his opinion on facing North Macedonia following their victory over the European Champions Italy. 👀 pic.twitter.com/ylJubVhXm0
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 29, 2022

Portugal vs North Macedonia – Starting XI:

Portugal: Costa, Joao Cancelo, Danilo, Pepe, Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Moutinho, Otavio, Ronaldo, Jota, Bernardo Silva.

Subs: Leao, William Carvalho, Rui Patricio, Andre Silva, Jose Sa, Goncalo Guedes, Joao Felix, Fonte, Guerreiro, Cedric, Vitinha, Matheus Luiz.

North Macedonia: Dimitrievski, Stefan Ristovski, Musliu, Velkovski, Alioski, Elmas, Bardhi, Ademi, Trajkovski, Milan Ristovski, Kostadinov.

Subs: Todoroski, Miovski, Naumovski, Churlinov, Spirovski, Serafimov, Dorian Babunski, Nikolov, David Babunski, Siskovski, Ristevski, Askovski.

Portugal are favourites to win the game, with bet365 giving Fernando Santos’ side odds of 1.16, which means an 86 percent chance of beating North Macedonia.