NATIONS - Portugal at risk of missing World Cup, set to play play-offs

15.11.2021 00:40 of D.B. TransferMarketWeb   see readings
NATIONS - Portugal at risk of missing World Cup, set to play play-offs
TRANSFERmarketWEB.com
© photo Imago/Image Sport

Serbia stunned Portugal 2-1 in Lisbon on Sunday, claiming top spot in Group A and an automatic berth in next year's championship for the visiting nation thanks to a 90th-minute goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic.

As a result, Portugal finishes second in the group and must now compete in a difficult qualification playoff in March to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. Since missing the 1998 World Cup, the Selecao has qualified for every major international tournament.

After Renato Sanches scored in the second minute of Sunday's match at the Estadio da Luz, Fernando Santos' side appeared to be in good shape; they needed only a draw to book their place in Qatar.

Serbia fought back, with Dusan Tadic equalizing in the 33rd minute before Mitrovic completing the comeback with a last-gasp header.