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FootballCristiano Ronaldo Reduced to Tears as Portugal Risk Missing out On 2022 World Cup Spot After Serbia Defeat
- Portugal vs Serbia World Cup qualifier ended in a 2-1 defeat for Cristiano Ronaldo's side
- Mitrovic headed home the winner at the death as Serbia beat Portugal for the first time in history
- Portugal now risk missing out on a place in the World Cup as Serbia qualified for the tourney
- The Selecao will now have to win in their play-off tie in March 2022 to book their place
An emotional Cristiano Ronaldo was reduced to tears on Sunday, November 14, after Serbia scored a dramatic late winner to dent Portugal's hopes of sealing a place in the 2022 World Cup.
Visiting Serbia staged a stunning comeback to secure a 2-1 win over the former Euro champions to finish top of Group A.
The win result also meant they booked a place in Qatar for the global tournament at the expense of Portugal who will now have to contend with a playoff fixture to qualify.
Hosts Portugal got the encounter off a perfect start at the Estadio da Luz after Renato Sanches scored the opener inside two minutes.
However, Dusan Tadic restored parity for the visitors after the half-hour mark before Mitrovic completed the comeback in the 90th minute with a fine header from Tadic's corner.
The winner sparked wild scenes as Serbia players and staff celebrated in style for beating Portugal for the first time in their history.
The result is Portugal's first defeat of their qualifiers while Serbia did not taste defeat in eight of their outings.
After the match, cameras zoomed on Ronaldo who was struggling to fight back tears after the full-time whistle.
His Man United teammate and Serbia international Nemanja Matic was later seen consoling the five-time Ballon d'Or winner who cut a dejected face as he sat on the pitch.
The 36-year-old will be desperate to make his fifth appearance in the World Cup.
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FootballFrance books World Cup spot
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported World Cup holders France has booked a place in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after demolishing Kazakhstan 8-0.
PSG ace Kylian Mbappe scored four of the eight goals to inspire his side to victory at Parc des Princes.
Karim Benzema, Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann were also on target during the clash.