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

Baku, March 25, AZERTAC

Portugal advanced to the 2022 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers playoff final Thursday after beating Turkiye 3-1 at home, according to Anadolu Agency.

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.