Portugal scored its desired point against Ireland on Thursday evening. Fernando Santos’s team only needed a 0-0 draw to seize the lead in Group A. As a result, the Portuguese have one point enough in three days for World Cup qualification in the decisive clash against competitor Serbia. The only blemish on the evening for Portugal is the red card for Pepe, who will have to miss the last game as a result. Furthermore, Croatia won very well against Malta (1-7), with which the team of captain Luka Modric can continue to dream of management qualification. For that, Croatia will have to win at home against Russia on Sunday.
Ireland – Portugal 0-0
In a less uplifting first half, Portugal barely managed to break through Ireland’s five-man defence. André Silva tried in the opening phase from a difficult angle, on which goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was able to intervene quite easily. In the remainder of the first act, the chances were for the Irish. Callum Robinson shot wide from the edge of the penalty area and the same fate had a header from teammate Chiedozie Ogbene moments later.
There goes Pepe! ?? A second (light) yellow card for the defender and therefore early to the dressing room… ??#ZiggoSport #WCQ #MLTCRO pic.twitter.com/rEEsTC4Yy4
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Nov 11, 2021
Even after the break, the notable moments could be counted on one hand. Ronaldo first shot a free kick hopelessly into the wall, but came closer to scoring in the 67th minute. The star won against two defenders in the penalty area and headed inches wide of the Irish goal. Ten minutes before the end, Pepe received his second yellow card after the veteran waved his arm at Robinson in an attempt to shield the ball.
Malta – Croatia 1-7
Croatia didn’t let it grow on Malta and took the lead after six minutes via Ivan Perisic, who saw that goalkeeper Henry Bonello was completely out of position and could easily slide in: 0-1. Both Croatia and Malta then saw a goal disallowed, after which the visitors scored the next valid goal in the 22nd minute. Duje Caleta-Car headed in from a free kick by Luka Modric: 0-2. The tension was unintentionally brought back moments later by Marcelo Brozovic, who scored a curious own goal. The midfielder wanted to kick a cross away, but shot the ball in his own face: 1-2.
Whew Marcelo Brozovic ?? A clumsy own goal puts Malta at 1-2 ??#ZiggoSport #WCQ2022 #MLTCRO pic.twitter.com/b80ay4ctWy
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Nov 11, 2021
It didn’t cause any problems for Croatia, as more goals soon followed. Mario Pasalic tapped in from a low cross by Andrej Kramaric and Modric shoved the ball freely past Bonello: 1-4. Shortly after the break it became 1-5 via Lovro Majer, who tapped in a rebound. After that, Kramaric managed to intercept a back pass from Malta, to place the ball from a great distance past Bonello: 1-6. The 1-7 came in the name of again Majer, who received a splitting pass from Marko Livaja right through the penalty area and convincingly shot in.