At 3:45 a.m. on March 25th, Beijing time, the semi-finals of Group C of the 2022 World Cup European playoffs kicked off. The European giants Portugal played once morest Turkey at home. The winning side of the two teams will be between Italy and North Macedonia. The winners compete for a place in the World Cup finals.
Historical record:
The two teams have played once morest each other 8 times in history, Portugal won 6 times and Turkey won 2 times. In these 8 games, Portugal scored 16 goals and lost 8 goals. The last time the two teams faced off was in a friendly match in June 2012, when Portugal lost 3-1 to Turkey. But before that game, Portugal beat Turkey 6 times in a row.
Game highlights:
Highlight 1: Portugal is full of injuries
Before this battle, Portugal was full of injuries. The main defender Pepe would miss the game because of the new crown positive. At the same time, another player in the back line, Dias, was also injured. Not only that, but midfielder Neves was also not included in the squad due to injury. In addition, Cancelo and Sanches are also suspended for this game. Judging from the composition of players who cannot play, Portugal’s defense will face a relatively big crisis.
Aspect 2: Cristiano Ronaldo sets the national team’s scoring record once more
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 115 national team goals so far, and he is also the player with the most national team goals in the history of world football. This time once morest Turkey, Ronaldo will once once more refresh the national team record maintained by himself as long as he scores. Against Turkey, Turkey will also be the 47th national team he has broken. If Ronaldo scores, he will score for Portugal for 19 consecutive calendar years. It should be pointed out that the last time Ronaldo played once morest Turkey was during Euro 2008.
Aspect 3: Turkey’s attack on the group?
Although Turkey is not as strong as Portugal on paper, this team has a super attack group. In 10 World Cup qualifiers, as many as 8 players in the Turkish team scored more than 2 goals, while 13 players in the team scored during the World Cup qualifiers. Among these players, Yilmaz, who scored 5 goals and 1 assist, and Calhanoglu, who scored 3 goals and 5 assists, attracted the most attention. In this game, many main players of the Portuguese defense line are absent, and what will happen when facing the attack group of Turkey?
Pre-match remarks:
Santos: We are completely focused on the game once morest Turkey, the team knows what to do. These players are used to this important game and the impact is always positive. Turkey is a very competitive team, they play with passion and are a very integrated team. Tomorrow we want to bring happiness to 11 million Portuguese people.
Fonte: We will fight for our friends, our family, we will fight for Portugal. Tomorrow we have to show a desire to enter the World Cup stronger than our opponents. Tomorrow, the whole stadium will support us.
Jota: Turkey is not an easy opponent, but Portugal has everything it needs to win. We have to grasp the efficiency of scoring, we need to focus to get to the World Cup.
Ronaldo (Ins): Playing for my country is always a very special moment for me, it’s no secret to anyone. Fight for the glory of Portugal, bring joy and pride to all Portuguese, and tell our younger generation ‘Nothing is impossible! ‘Believe in us, in our national team, and we will do everything in our power to repay your support. Go Portugal!
Kunz (Turkey coach): I need to convince the players of our results. If only defense can’t beat Portugal. We’ve got talented players, we’ve got great defense, we’ll come out with courage and we’ve got to beat them.
Injury information:
Portugal: Pepe, Cancelo, Dias, Sanches, Neves
Turkey: none
Predicted starter:
Portugal (433) Patricio/Cedric, Fonte, Inacio, Guerrero/Moutinho, Pereira, B fee/B seat, Ronaldo, Jota
Turkey (442): Cakir/Celik, Soyunku, Demiral, Elgin/Ander, Calhanoglu, Antalyali, Akturoglu/Irma Z, Yazic
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