Portugal vs North Macedonia LIVE: World Cup play-off final result, score and reaction

Over in Chorzow, things look far more evenly matched. These are two solidly built sides with plenty of proven international performers. Poland, with the support of the home crowd and slightly more rested legs after a semi-final bye, are probably slight favourites, but they’ve lost their last six against tonight’s opposition - including a dramatic 3-2 win at Euro 2020.

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Out to end the fairytale will be Portugal, and crikey does Fernando Santos have some attacking options at his disposal. It is a forward-thinking midfield picked by the Portugal boss, with Joao Moutinho alongside Otavio and Bruno Fernandes - no shortage of creativity there - and aided by Bernardo Silva.

The Manchester City star is relishing a revamped role, and had this to say ahead of this game: “I know my new role well; it is how I have played the last few games for City, and more often this season.

“I play where the coach thinks I am most useful for the team. I can be a right winger, an attacking midfielder, a No10 or a No8 helping a No6.

“At the moment, I am playing closer to João Moutinho and I really like playing there too.”

That Italy win isn’t North Macedonia’s only recent triumph of which to be proud. Formerly part of Yugoslavia, the nation made a first major championship appearance at Euro 2020 months after securing a famous win in Germany. Can they book their trip to Qatar in November with another shock in Porto this evening? These fans hope so...

North Macedonia bring in Tihomir Kostadinov, with the official Uefa teamsheet suggesting that the Piast Gliwice may be utilised in a front two. He may, in fact, be used in midfield, with Boban Nikolov dropping out.

Kostadinov is joined in the starting eleven by Elif Elmas having both served suspensions during that improbable victory over Italy.

Pepe is available again after recovering from Covid and is thrust straight back into the Portugal defence for this all-or-nothing encounter. Danilo Pereira continues alongside him, meaning Joao Moutinho is again likely to operate as the deepest midfielder of a potent Portuguese front six.

Bernardo Silva should roam in a free role, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota providing plenty of threat ahead of him.

Sweden were taken to extra-time by the Czech Republic in their play-off semi-final, with Robin Quaison earning a promotion to start in the forward line after netting the winner. He starts ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, available again after a ban and part of a strong bench that also includes Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga.

Martin Olsson has had to leave the group due to injury so Ludwig Augustinsson is at left-back, while Emil Krafth is stationed on the opposite side of the defensive line after his own ban.

As expected for Poland, Wojciech Szczesny and Robert Lewandowski return to the starting side having been rested during last week’s friendly action. Lewandowski leads the line with Piotr Zielinski and Sebastian Szymanski his chief support in a solidly constructed five-at-the-back formation again deployed by Czeslaw Michniewisz. Jakub Moder slides back into midfield, where he is partnered by Jacek Goralski, while Bartosz Bereszynski comes in at left wing-back.

Right, the team news has rolled in, hot off the press, so let’s take a closer look at tonight’s runners and riders...

Italy were stunned by North Macedonia in the play-off semi-final - surely their European Championship winning predecessors Portugal will avoid a similar slip-up? Andy Brassell explains why Fernando Santos’ side are taking nothing for granted...

It all comes down to this. Two games to narrow four nations to two, with Portugal, North Macedonia, Poland and Sweden ready to find out their 2022 Fifa World Cup fate. The group stage draw will be held on Friday - which pair of countries will be in the hat?