Bruno Fernandes scored both goals as Portugal beat North Macedonia. (1:45) Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the first outfield player to bridge a 16-year gap between appearances at the World Cup when he played for Sweden, but he was unable to do it in time. Every World Cup has at least one leading player or major nation failing to qualify, but as the European and African sections came to a close, the big names are beginning to mount up. Egypt missed out on qualification for the World Cup for the second time in less than two months as they lost to Senegal in a penalty shoot-out. Zlatan can forget about returning to the World Cup stage for the first time when he's 41, but who knows with him? Robert Lewandowski, the best centre-forward in the game, will be at football's biggest party when Poland qualifies for the World Cup after he scored a second-half penalty in Chorzow. Erling Haaland, who scored twice in a 9-0 win against Armenia on Tuesday, will also be out of the World Cup. Two of football's biggest stars right now and a player who has been at the top of the game for over a decade will not be in the same tournament. Italy became the first European champion since Greece in 2004 to fail to qualify for the World Cup. At least the Portugal team will be in the country. None of them could be described as the next generation, or even players at their peak, even though they will bring their celebrity and class to the tournament. The World Cup in Qatar will be the last for all three of them. The new wave could have been led by Haaland, but there are still enough stars who can ensure that the spotlight doesn't automatically fall on the old guard. Sadio Mane will get the chance to lead his country at the World Cup and possibly help an African nation make it to the semifinals for the first time, because of his penalty against Egypt. With his performance in the World Cup final for France against Croatia, Kylian Mbappe confirmed his status as a top player, and he will be looking to take over the top spot from Lionel Messi andRonaldo. Germany's Kai Havertz, Christopher Nkunku of France, and Spain's Pedri are some of the World Cup stars who could emerge. The beautiful game is here. Leagues, tournaments and teams can be watched.
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On Friday, April 1
• Union Berlin vs. Cologne (2:30 p.m. ET)
• Hull City vs. Huddersfield (2:45 p.m. ET)
• Beerschot vs. Brugge (2:45 p.m. ET)
The play-off wins against Turkey and North Macedonia highlighted the quality within the squad. Portugal are no longer reliant on one player.
The World Cup will be a better tournament for his presence and that of Bernardo Silva, Diogo, because Bruno Fernandes scored twice to seal victory in Porto against the North Macedonians, who had eliminated Italy in the play-off semifinal.
There is no shortage of quality at the back of Portugal, where the 39-year-old Pepe still defends brilliantly, despite the fact that they have deep reserves of flair further forward. They were outstanding against North Macedonia.
Portugal will be one of the leading nations in the World Cup, but the party would have been better had Italy, Haaland and Ibrahimovic also made it.
In their absence, others will create headlines, and one of them could beRonaldo. Without him, it wouldn't have been the same.
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