Portugal Keeps Hope Of Playing In The 2022 World Cup After Defeating Turkey, Santos: We Played With Fire Today

JAKARTA - The Portuguese national team is keeping the hope of appearing in the 2022 World Cup after winning 3-1 over Turkey in the play-off round, Friday, March 26, early morning western Indonesia time. With this result, Portugal will face North Macedonia for a ticket to Qatar.

Portugal had won 1-0 in the 15th minute. Otavio scored the Seleccao das Quinas opener.

Portugal added the advantage in the 42nd minute through the action of Diogo Jota. This takes his goals tally for Portugal to eight goals in 2022 in all competitions, twice that of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Turkey managed to reduce the position in the 65th minute. Burak Yilmaz scored against the Seleccao das Quinas after collaborating with Cengiz Under.

Turkey actually had a great chance to equalize to 2-2 in the 85th minute. However, this golden opportunity was wasted after Yilmaz's penalty hit the Portuguese goalpost.

In the 94th minute, Portugal actually increased their advantage through a substitute goal, Matheus Luiz.

"I can't be disappointed with the team, but we played with fire today. We controlled the game but were slow," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos, as reported by ESPN.

"Obviously players are not machines, we weren't trying to score for 3-0 and this can happen in football. But I'm happy we reacted well."

Santos admitted, the penalty given in the 85th minute could change everything. "That moment could have made it difficult for us," he said.