Paris (AFP)
Better late than never: Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal still does not qualify for the Euro-2020, which he wants to validate Sunday in Luxembourg on the final day of the playoffs.
The reigning European champions have a simple goal against Luxembourg: win. This will allow them to win their ticket, even if a draw or even a defeat could suffice, in case of misstep by Serbia against Ukraine, already assured of first place.
At 34, Ronaldo aims a symbolic bar: the 100 goals in selection. With 98 units, including three registered Thursday against Lithuania (6-0), the player of Juventus Turin is not far off the record, or besides the record all selections, held by the Iranian Ali Daei ( 109).
In group A, there is nothing left to play or almost. England will finish first in front of the Czech Republic even in case of defeat in Kosovo and victory of their rivals in Bulgaria. But the two leaders will try to finish the year in style, while scoring as many points as possible to hope to be donated in a more favorable hat for the drawing of lots on November 30.
The same challenge is shared by the champions of the French world, as well as by the Turks, already qualified too. With the difference that the classification of group H is not stopped: for the 100th of Didier Deschamps as coach, the Blues, first two points ahead - but direct confrontations disadvantageous vis-à-vis Turkey, would do well to win in Albania if they want to keep their heads. Because in Andorra, the Turks will be on the lookout.
Sunday's matches
Group A
(18h00) Kosovo - England
Bulgaria - Czech Republic
Group B
(15h00) Serbia - Ukraine
Luxembourg - Portugal
Group H
(8:45 pm) Moldova - Iceland
Andorra - Turkey
Albania - France
© 2019 AFP