On Tuesday, Portugal and North Macedonia play for the World Cup ticket. So “all or nothing” – an immensely important game for both sides. Cristiano Ronaldo has no doubt who will win.
“This will be one of the hardest games for us, but also one of the most exciting. We are 90 minutes away from the World Cup and we want to fulfil our childhood dream. But not just ours, but the dream of all of northern Macedonia,” said midfielder Eljif Elfmas, perhaps the best footballer in the underdog’s ranks, ahead of this next big showdown for his nation.
But the importance of the match is the same for both sides, again Cristiano Ronaldo made clear at Monday’s press conference: “For us it’s also the game of a lifetime.” CR7 thanked the fans for their unconditional support in the previous match in Porto against Turkey. “I now ask for the same or even more, starting with the anthem. I want that when the anthem stops, everyone keeps singing.
“If it’s like Thursday, I’m sure we will win,” said the national team’s all-time top scorer.
In the 3-1 play-off semi-final win over Turkey, Cristiano Ronaldo played more of a supporting role, wasn’t really good in the game. The attacker believes that should change on Tuesday against Italy fright North Macedonia, of course. CR7 can usually be relied upon in games like this.
CR7: “Can beat any team in the world “
The pre-match roles are clear, of course, but so were they in Italy’s 1-0 defeat of North Macedonia – and wham, it was the Italians who missed out on another World Cup. “We know they are a very well organised team, they have their strengths. We respect that too. But I think when Portugal are at their best, they can beat any team in the world,” Cristiano Ronaldo once again brimmed with confidence in the hours before this knockout final for the World Cup ticket for Qatar 2022.
Because: “I want to be at the World Cup!” It would be his fifth after 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018.