Portugal beat Turkiye 3-1 to qualify for 2022 World Cup European Qualifiers playoff final

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) - Portugal advanced to the 2022 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers playoff final Thursday after beating Turkiye 3-1 at home.

Bernardo Silva was denied by the post but Otavio rolled one into the net in a rebound in the 15th minute, giving Portugal a 1-0 lead.

After Otavio's goal, the visitors were close to leveling the score, but Berkan Kutlu missed from a close-range header and Orkun Kokcu's shot in the box was blocked by goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal doubled the lead through Diogo Jota's header with three minutes left in the first half at Porto’s Dragao Stadium.

In the second half, Portugal took control of the match, but Burak Yilmaz scored from a close range in the 65th minute, keeping Turkiye's hopes alive to send the match into extra time.

In the 85th minute, Turkiye had a great chance to tie the score after they were awarded a penalty through a video assistant referee (VAR) review, but Yimaz hit the crossbar.

Matheus Nunes found the net in stoppage time and gave Portugal a 3-1 win in the semifinals playoff round.

- Aleksandar Trajkovski kicks Italy out of World Cup

North Macedonia shocked Italy in a 1-0 away win and qualified for the 2022 World Cup European Qualifiers playoff final.

Aleksandar Trajkovski's stoppage time long-range winner kicked Italy out of the 2022 World Cup at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo.

North Macedonia and Portugal will face off on March 29 to book a ticket for the World Cup.

Turkiye will also host four-time World Cup winners Italy in Konya in a friendly match on March 29.

- Gareth Bale sends Wales into 2022 World Cup playoff final

Real Madrid's star winger Gareth Bale scored twice, helping Wales beat Austria 2-1 and reach the 2022 World Cup playoff final.

Ben Davies scored an own goal for the visitors, but their efforts were not enough to send the match into extra time at Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales are now one match away from taking part in their first World Cup since 1958.

They will take on the winner of Scotland and Ukraine in June.

- Sweden beat Czech Republic 1-0 in extra time, advancing to playoff final

Sweden became the last nation Thursday to book a place for the playoff final after beating Czech Republic 1-0 in extra time at home.

After the match ended in a goalless draw, Robin Quaison's extra time goal gave Sweden victory at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.

Sweden will face Poland for a spot at the World Cup in Qatar.