Portugal, France Clinch World Cup Spots

Sports | November 20, 2013, Wednesday // 12:07
Bulgaria: Portugal, France Clinch World Cup Spots Cristiano Ronaldo scored all 4 goals for Portugal in the playoffs. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Portugal, France, Greece, and Croatia became the last 4 European countries to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The French had to make up for a 2-goal deficit from the first leg in Kiev. This time in Paris, they were clearly the stronger side from the beginning, and with goals from Sakho, Benzema, and an own goal from Gusev, stormed to a 3:0 victory, which raised the roof of Stade de France.

Sweden and Portugal played a rather boring first half, which ended 0:0. The second period, however, would be a stark contrast, with the magic of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic coming to the surface. The two netted a total of 5 goals, for the final 2:3, and an overall score of 4:2 for Portugal in the two matches.

Romania and Greece finished 1:1 in Bucharest, which was enough for the Greeks, who had won 3:1 at home.

Despite playing with a man less for much of the game, Croatia had no trouble seeing off Iceland, 2:0 in Zagreb. This ended the dream of the Scandinavians for a World Cup debut.

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Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden, Portugal, France, Croatia, Zagreb, Iceland, world cup, Brazil, 2014, Romania, greece, Bucharest, Benzema, Sakho, Gusev

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