The 2016 European champions took the lead shortly after half an hour on a goal from Bruno Fernandes, served by Cristiano Ronaldo (32nd, 1-0).

The Manchester United attacking midfielder made the break by scoring again in the middle of the second half (65th, 2-0).

The Lusitanians will participate in the eighth World Cup in their history, their twelfth consecutive major tournament.

Faced with uninhibited Macedonians, the Portuguese were slow to get a first chance.

As often, 'CR7' launched the hostilities.

Well served in depth by Otavio, the five-time Golden Ball triggered a nice cross shot from the left, but it shaved the right upright of the opposing cages (14th).

Macedonia reacted shortly after with a shot from Ezgjan Alioski on the side (20th).

Diogo Jota then thought he opened the scoring from a corner, the head of the Liverpool striker finishing just above (24th).

Then, Portugal scored a goal 100% 'made in' Manchester United.

Bruno Fernandes intercepted a bad Macedonian pass and relied on Ronaldo who gave him the ball in the race, the playmaker concluding with a clear shot from close range (1-0, 32nd).

The joy of Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes, after opening the scoring against North Macedonia, in the final of the qualifying play-off for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, on March 29, 2022 in Porto MIGUEL RIOPA AFP

Apart from a long distance strike signed by Joao Cancelo off target (45th + 1), Fernando Santos' men had no other opportunity to break before halftime.

Fernandes finally decisive

An offensive silence demonstrating the capacity of the Macedonians to defend well even when largely dominated in the game, like the incredible victory of the 67th nation in the FIFA ranking against Italy (1-0), last week in play-off semi-final.

Returning from the locker room, Bruno Fernandes once again tried his luck, but his shot outside the box was well captured by the goalkeeper of the Balkan team, Stole Dimitrievski (52nd).

It was only a postponement, the attacking midfielder finishing a fine Portuguese counter-attack with an unstoppable recovery from a cross from Diogo Jota (66th, 2-0), definitively sealing his country's qualification for the World Cup in Qatar ( November 21 - December 18).

A nice revenge for the 27-year-old, who has not shown himself very often at ease with the Portugal shirt, unlike his club performance.

After this second goal, the Lusitanians calmly managed the score, leaving no opportunity for the Macedonians and reviewing their offensive armada with the onset of Rafael Leao and Joao Felix.

Despite this freshness in attack, they did not manage to register a third goal which would have given the air of correction to their victory against a valiant but too limited Macedonia.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not score in selection for the fourth consecutive meeting, will be able to console himself with the opportunity to enter the very closed circle of players who have played five final stages of the World Cup.

© 2022 AFP