Poland vs Sweden LIVE: World Cup play-off final result, score and reaction tonight

Follow all the action as Poland face Sweden for a place at the World Cup later this year.

Poland, who had initially been drawn to face Russia in the play-off semi-finals, received a bye into the final due to the continued invasion of Ukraine. Instead, Czesław Michniewicz’s side played Scotland in a warm-up friendly last week, with Krzysztof Piatek’s late penalty ensuring Poland of a 1-1 draw. The friendly was not without loss, though, as both Arkadiusz Milik and Bartosz Salamon picked up injuries and have since been ruled out of tonight’s match, although Robert Lewandowski is well-rested and ready to lead the line.

Sweden will be far wearier after being taken to extra-time in a tense play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic. Robin Quaison eventually ensured Janne Andersson’s side of a 1-0 victory to put the 2018 World Cup quarter-finalists within one win of reaching Qatar. They are further boosted by the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had been serving a suspension but is now available again. Follow all the action live below:

Poland vs Sweden

• Poland: Szczesny, Biellik, Glik, Bednarek, Cash, Goralski, Moder, Bereszynski, Zielinski, Szymanski, Lewandowski

• Sweden: Olsen, Krafth, Lindelof, Augustinsson, Kulusevski, Karlstrom, Olsson, Forsberg, Isak, Quaison

• Winner secures spot at World Cup

Poland 2 - 0 Sweden

FULL TIME! PORTUGAL 2-0 NORTH MACEDONIA

21:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

PORTUGAL HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP IN QATAR

Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia, 90 + 1 minutes

21:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Into three added minutes in Porto, and a debut for home hero Vitinha, replacing Joao Moutinho. Portugal are going to the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

Poland 2-0 Sweden, 84 minutes

21:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Polish manager Czeslaw Michniewicz tucks his hands in the pockets of what looks like a warm, dark coat. This would be some achievement. Remember that this is his first competitive game in charge of the senior national side.

Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia, 88 minutes

21:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Canny from Fernando Santos. He has both Joao Felix and Matheus Nunes ready to come on but directs the fourth official to only put up the number of the former, allowing him to kill yet more clock by making a second substitution when the ball next exits play.

Poland 2-0 Sweden, 81 minutes

21:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A little scuffle wastes a minute for Poland. No sense, yet, that the home fans feel they are creeping towards qualification but time keeps ticking by.

Poland 2-0 Sweden, 79 minutes

21:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

In a time of crisis, send for the self-styled superhero: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on for Sweden. Jesper Karlsson, too. Marcus Danielson and Kristoffer Olsen take the fastest route possible off the Silesian Stadium surface.

Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia, 82 minutes

21:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Less than ten minutes of normal time remain in Porto and there is just a hint that North Macedonia may have started to tire. It’s been a gallant effort against a strong side but Portugal are looking good to be in Friday’s draw.

GOAL! POLAND 2-0 Sweden (Piotr Zielinski, 74 minutes)

21:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A goal that moves Poland even closer to qualification for Qatar 2022! It’s another against the run of play for Poland, Piotr Zielinski rushing through and finishing at the near post beyond Robin Olsen, who was rather slow to leave his line.

Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia, 77 minutes

21:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Changes for both sides in Porto. North Macedonia first send on Stefan Askovski for Tihomir Kostadinov as they seek a quick turnaround, before Portugal stabilise their midfield with William Carvalho.

Rafael Leao is on, too, for Fernando Santos’ side. Otavio and Diogo Jota removed.

Poland 1-0 Sweden, 69 minutes

21:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

No sense of panic from Sweden just yet, but they’ll want slightly more out of Emil Forsberg than that. A dreadful corner, apparently meant for an arriving teammate on the far angle of the box. Headed away.

Poland 1-0 Sweden, 67 minutes

21:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

In fact, it is a double change for Sweden. Anthony Elanga is on for Robin Quaison, who has been quiet, and Mattias Svanberg will also be added to affairs. Jesper Karlstrom is the other player withdrawn.

Poland 1-0 Sweden, 65 minutes

21:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Which is handled by the punch of Wojciech Szczesny’s clenched fists.

Poland 1-0 Sweden, 63 minutes

21:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Deflected over! Sweden still hustling and bustling about in dangerous areas, and Emil Forsberg’s swiftly-released shot catches a Polish body and flies over the bar.

Anthony Elanga is receiving some instructions and will soon be on, but not before the corner...

GOAL! PORTUGAL 2-0 North Macedonia (Bruno Fernandes, 65 minutes)

21:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A brilliantly taken goal and that might fully dash North Macedonia’s dream!

It starts with the visitors on the attack, but their forward rumble is ended by the perfect planting of Pepe’s right booted roadblock in the way of the ball. The defender has been excellent tonight.

North Macedonia are under-resourced defensively and Portugal have the options to exploit it, Diogo Jota fading to the left, looking up and spying an onrushing Bruno Fernandes on the far side. His cross is delectable, Fernandes’s half-volleyed finish delicate and definite.

Poland 1-0 Sweden, 57 minutes

21:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Huge save from Wojciech Szczesny! Maybe Poland aren’t so resolute, again unlocked by Sweden’s forward line and spaces appearing all too easily.

Isak sweeps across perfectly for Emil Forsberg, but the winger can’t beat a diving Szczesny.

Sweden then go close again from the corner.

Poland 1-0 Sweden, 55 minutes

21:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Why didn’t he pass it sooner? The ball breaks kindly for Ludwig Augustinsson after an Alexander Isak challenge on the edge of the box and there are yellow shirts in all kinds of space in the box, but Augustinsson can’t make up his mind of who to pass to. He is not aided by the fact that they all wish to occupy the same space, like wasps to a glass of sugar water on the penalty spot, and in the end his cut-back is blocked out of play.

Sweden have had all of the ball since that Poland goal but you get the sense that the hosts might be tough to break down.

Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia, 60 minutes

21:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A second change for North Macedonia, and the protagonist in Palermo won’t be playing the hero again: Aleksandar Trajkovski is replaced by Darko Churlinov.

Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia, 59 minutes

21:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Way over the bar! Bruno Fernandes whips for the near post for a sprinting Cristiano Ronaldo, but the stooping forward gets too far beneath it, and troubles only the fans behind the goal.

Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia, 57 minutes

21:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back-to-back corners for Portugal, the second earned after a delightful pass from Joao Moutinho on the half-volley.

And then a third. Joao Cancelo’s long cross travels too far but is chested, conservatively, out of play by Stefan Ristovski, who hasn’t had the best night.

GOAL! POLAND 1-0 Sweden (Robert Lewandowski penalty, 49 minutes)

20:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Poland captain rolls it home! A charge towards the ball, a leaping stutter, a dart of the eyes and Robin Olsen guesses right..which is wrong! Lewandowski puts his penalty to the other side and is off in celebration almost before it has crossed the line with Olsen helpless.

Penalty to Poland! Poland 0-0 Sweden, 48 minutes

20:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The ball had rolled across the area and the two midfielders had each burst towards it, and Krychowiak just managed to get his body ahead of Karlstrom, leaving referee Daniele Orsato no option.

It’s a spot kick. Robert Lewandowski, 12 yards out...

PENALTY TO POLAND! Poland 0-0 Sweden, 47 minutes

20:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An immediate impact from Grzegorz Krychowiak! The midfielder goes down under contact from Jesper Karlstrom and a penalty is given to Poland. VAR will have a look, but I think this will stand...

Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia, 51 minutes

20:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Straight at the goalkeeper! Bernardo Silva can’t control Bruno Fernandes’ forward loft but the ball is soon back at the feet of the Manchester United midfielder, firing at goal, but Stole Dimitrievski is able to drop to his knees and grab the ball in front of him.

The second half of Poland vs Sweden has begun!

20:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Poland 0-0 Sweden

20:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The second half is about to begin in Poland, and the home side are making a substitution. The experienced Grzegorz Krychowiak takes the place of Jacek Goralski, who was booked in the first half and appeared to pick up a knock.

Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia, 48 minutes

20:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Portugal are stroking the ball about with a real pep early in the second half. Diogo Jota gets his feet in a muddle as he tries to befuddle a defender along the byline, but Nuno Mendes’ steps are of a better rhythm, working space for a cross...

Which is rather rank. High, wide, and not at all handsome.

Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia, 46 minutes

20:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A half-time alteration for North Macedonia - Bojan Miovski was one of those making his way out of the tunnel and is on for Milan Ristovski up front.

The second half of Portugal vs North Macedonia is underway!

20:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Second half

20:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A few of the North Macedonian players have a chat on their way out of the dressing room, one gesturing expressively to the others. Anthony Taylor counts the players as they emerge. He’s happy - his whistle gets them back underway in Porto.

How Portugal went ahead

20:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here’s that Portugal opener - careless from North Macedonia; crafty from Cristiano Ronaldo; clinical from Bruno Fernandes.

H/T: Poland 0-0 Sweden

20:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sweden have had the better of things in Chorzow, with their talented front four interchanging nicely but yet to properly test Wojciech Szczesny with the regularity they would like. The Poland goalkeeper did get down sharply to keep out a shot across him from Emil Forsberg, while there have been a couple of half-chances at the other end, but it’s the sort of game that you feel could require extra football to decide.

H/T: Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia

20:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

So far, so...fine for Portugal. As things stand Fernando Santos’ side are through to Qatar 2022 without having to go too deep into the well, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes pouncing on an error from an otherwise well-drilled North Macedonian side.

That will have really frustrated Blagoja MIevski, because otherwise it all rather went to plan for the visitors, managing to frustrate and stagnate their more illustrious opponents. But they’ll need at least one to keep their World Cup dream alive, and there haven’t been too many signs of a goal coming.

HALF TIME: POLAND 0-0 SWEDEN

20:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 45 minutes

20:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two additional minutes in Chorzow, even accounting for that stoppage after the lights went out.

HALF TIME: PORTUGAL 1-0 NORTH MACEDONIA

20:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 43 minutes

20:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And the lights have gone off! Put another coin in the meter...

It looks like referee Daniele Orsato is happy to continue. Some of the floodlights are working, so it isn’t too gloomy. The Swedish players, expecting a delay, had gathered for a drink of water by their bench but are asked to rejoin affairs.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 42 minutes

20:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Little in the way of true goalmouth action in Chorzow. Poland, perhaps, just retreating into their shell - Robert Lewandowski looks a touch isolated at times.

Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia, 42 minutes

20:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Portugal more firmly in control of the game now. They’d love another to make those half-time oranges slightly sweeter.

Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia, 40 minutes

20:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another sighting of goal for Diogo Jota but he can’t find the target! Cristiano Ronaldo hooks one inwards from the byline and there should be little danger, but North Macedonia form a committee in an attempt to decide which of three players are to perform clearing duties, allowing Jota to nip in.

His touch makes the angle tight and he ruffles the side netting.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 37 minutes

20:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ooh, that’s not a particularly clever challenge from Jacek Goralski. The Poland midfielder is after a bouncing ball but is second to it, and makes a rather high contact with the leg of the Swedish player. A booking.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 36 minutes

20:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s all interchanging parts and clever movement from Sweden, with the front four beginning to cause plenty of issues for Poland. Robin Quaison doesn’t have the requisite tensile strength in his neck to contort his head back and direct a firm cross towards goal.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 34 minutes

20:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s still even enough in Poland, but the home side look slightly loose in possession, perhaps just adjusting to the tactics of their new manager. Dejan Kulusevski has been prominent for Sweden.

Portugal 1-0 North Macedonia, 34 minutes

20:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That has rather cheered up a restless crowd at the Estadio do Dragao, who are now chanting away with restored confidence.

GOAL! PORTUGAL 1-0 North Macedonia (Bruno Fernandes, 32 minutes)

20:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A gift from North Macedonia and the Manchester United pair combine to take advantage! It’s a foolish ball from captain Stefa Ristovski, lifting ambitiously across the pitch after turning back from the halfway line.

Bruno Fernandes gets his foot in and finds club-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who finds a gap in a pair of legs to return the ball to Fernandes. A precise finish puts Portugal one-ahead. Smartly taken, but North Macedonia could ill-afford a self-inflicted blow of that sort.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 28 minutes

20:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Poland have woken up. Marcus Danielson does well to prevent Robert Lewandowski testing Robin Olsen with a shot after the Bayern Munich striker fades from his marker on to a diagonal, but Swedish goalkeeper Olsen is soon called upon twice in short order, first rather nervously tiptoeing out to punch a corner out and then holding his position firmly to get behind Jan Bednarek’s swing at a dropping ball.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 25 minutes

20:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Should Matty Cash have done better? Sebastian Szymanski pivots to create half-a-yard of space away from Dejan Kulusevski and crosses to the opposite side of the box, but the Aston Villa full-back rather snatches at the chance.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 26 minutes

20:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another hoist into the box is headed in the vague direction of goal by Pepe, but the 39-year-old’s ageing legs were too slow in retreating, and he’s rightly flagged for offside.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 24 minutes

20:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anthony Taylor has a chat with a couple of happy grapplers before Bruno Fernandes is permitted to deliver...

So nearly for Diogo Jota! The Liverpool forward wrestles Stefan Ristovski from him as he gets his head to Fernandes’ outswinger, directing a powerful header into the ground. It hops up...just over the bar! Mighty close.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 23 minutes

20:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Meanwhile in Porto, the home side are just starting to burst into life. Otavio has what feels like his first touch of the evening as Portugal paint sharp triangles down the right - corner kick.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 20 minutes

20:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chances are beginning to come more regularly for Sweden. Poland fail to concretely clear their lines and the ball is rolled back for Dejan Kulusevski, who picks his spot in the far corner but finds only a meaty Polish thigh rather closer to him.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 18 minutes

20:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sharp stop from Wojciech Szczesny! Krystian Bielik is burgled in midfield and Sweden come forward in good number, Emil Forsberg slipped in on the left and forcing the Poland goalkeeper to get down swiftly and parry a driven effort beyond his post.

Sweden then earn another corner after some pinball.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 17 minutes

20:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s not right, either - floated like a balloon on the breeze and gathered in relative comfort by goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 16 minutes

20:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s not the right delivery, though. Enis Bardhi hits only Joao Moutinho’s well-sculpted head in front of the near post.

He’ll get another go from a free kick on the opposite side.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 15 minutes

20:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

At the other end, back-to-back corners for North Macedonia.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 13 minutes

20:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And now Cristiano Ronaldo misses an opportunity! Diogo Jota slides his strike partner through after North Macedonia get their structure wrong for a first time. Ronaldo lets the ball run across him and hits it across goal with his left foot, but over-compensates for the angle and skids it wide of Stole Dimitrievski’s left-hand post. A decent opening, that.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 10 minutes

19:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A chance for Robert Lewandowski, but headed wide! Matty Cash produces a nice whipped ball to the far post and Lewandowski appears to have faded into space, but Emil Krafth arrives and rises in a timely manner to challenge the Poland striker, forcing his header to slide away from goal and comfortably wide of Robin Olsen’s goal. Cash gurns in frustration - that was a lovely cross.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 11 minutes

19:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Boos from the home fans - they aren’t liking their team’s performance so far in Porto! North Macedonia have started with real calm and composure. Portugal yet to really take hold of a contest that they are heavy favourites to win.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 9 minutes

19:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A first entry into the Sweden box for Poland, but no clear shooting chance appears, and the ball is smothered away.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 10 minutes

19:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Top defensive work from Nuno Mendes this time! The Portugal left-back matches up to Stefan Ristovski, overlapping from the right of the visiting defence, and holds his position well to both block and clear as the North Macedonian captain tries to cross.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 9 minutes

19:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Better from North Macedonia. They look well organised, again, and are managing to shut down space well, crowding the Portuguese player on the ball as they try to make forward progress.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 6 minutes

19:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Poland and Sweden are yet to fully settle down into their fixture. It does appear to be rather damp, which is not necessarily helping.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 6 minutes

19:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A first glimpse for Portugal! Nuno Mendes whips one into the corridor of uncertainty between the goalkeeper and a retreating defence and it skips invitingly across the six-yard area, but is out of reach of Cristiano Ronaldo, sniffing at the far post. Portugal can’t keep it in play on the right but that’s a first forward foray of real promise for the hosts.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 4 minutes

19:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Loud jeering from the Polish fans as Sweden play the ball around a slippery Chorzow surface - and it works, forcing an error on the left. That crowd could make a difference.

Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia, 4 minutes

19:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

North Macedonia have begun with good energy in Porto. Elif Elmas appears to be playing as the central attacking midfielder, and Joao Moutinho is having to keep a close eye on the Napoli man. It is a remarkably attacking Portugal midfield.

Poland 0-0 Sweden, 1 minute

19:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

By the way, this is Czesław Michniewicz first competitive game in charge of Poland after replacing Paulo Sousa in January. Can he guide them to the World Cup? He looks pretty relaxed on the home bench as he watches the early exchanges.

KICK OFF!

19:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And a couple of minutes later than scheduled, Poland vs Sweden is off and running, too!

Portugal 0-0 North Maceodonia, 1 minute

19:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

North Macedonia start with what looks like a 4-2-3-1, but you’d suggest they may morph and mould that throughout the night. They start well, winning a throw in on the left high up after pressing Portugal, but can’t make anything of the chance.

KICK OFF!

19:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Portugal vs North Macedonia has begun!

Here we go...

19:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Both stadiums look packed to the rafters. Obviously, really. One game to go - who will qualify for the 2022 Fifa World Cup?

And in Chorzow...

19:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Great massive flags are spread wide on the pitch behind the Swedish and Polish players, with what appears to be not insignificant rain wetting the hair as they prepare for the pre-match pageantry. You’d suggest things could be fairly tight.

Anthem time

19:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The flags are waving at the Estadio do Dragao as the fans stand for the national anthems. The travelling supporters belt out “Denes nad Makedonija”.

Ready to go

19:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Christian Eriksen scores on return to Parken Stadium

19:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just before we focus more fully on tonight’s proceedings, an uplifting story from Denmark’s win against Serbia:

Christian Eriksen marks emotional return to Parken Stadium with goal for Denmark

Match Officials

19:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, kick-off is creeping ever closer in Porto and Chorzow - but who is in charge of it all? Well, enjoying the delights of the Portuguese coast are an English officiating team led by referee Anthony Taylor and VAR Chris Kavanagh, while Italy’s Daniele Orsato and Massimiliano Irrati are at the Silesian Stadium to deal with matters arising during Poland-Ukraine. Plenty of experience for two significant fixtures.

When is the World Cup draw and who can still qualify?

19:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

When is World Cup group stage draw? Date, start time and who can still qualify?

Getting warm

19:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Which European nations have already qualified?

19:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There are three more Uefa places to be confirmed, with Wales awaiting the winner of Scotland vs Ukraine - that tie has been postponed until June for what should be obvious reasons.

Already through to the World Cup from Europe are:

Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland, Netherlands.

Crunch time

19:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just in case you do need a refresher of what is at stake tonight, this is, well, it. No repechage, no second chance, just a single game to decide who is in the hat come Friday’s draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Poland out to end wretched recent run

19:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.

Need a reminder?

Sweden top Group E with last-gasp win over Poland at Euro 2020

Bernardo Silva explains his new role

19:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.”

Ready to make some noise

18:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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...

Team News - North Macedonia

18:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.

Team News - Portugal

18:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.

Team News - Sweden

18:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.

Team News - Poland

18:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.

Team news time

18:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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

Portugal vs North Macedonia

18:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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...

Portugal take nothing for granted as Cristiano Ronaldo aims for one last World Cup

World Cup qualifying play-off finals

18:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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?