"Our football heroes have made history," declared Northern Macedonian President Stabo Pandrovsky, signaling a particularly optimistic celebration of the surprising football team that tossed Italy out of the World Cup playoffs in one of the biggest sensations European football has ever known.
Northern Macedonia is now expected to face Portugal in the playoff final, for a direct battle for a place in Qatar, and there seems to be no fear in it.
"We will pass Portugal as well," captain Stefan Ristowski promised, "we will do everything and win."
Northern Macedonia fan.
Celebrations in the streets,
In Portugal, on the other hand, although they were happy to find out that Italy are out, they can not be quiet against Bobby Milewski's small team.
"We have to work hard and respect our opponent," said Cristiano Ronaldo. "We have made a big step, but we have not achieved anything yet."
Ronaldo.
Not underestimating northern Macedonia,
Matthias Nunez, who scored the third for Portugal in a 1-3 draw over Turkey, added of the Macedonians: "To beat Italy you have to have quality. It will not be easy."
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