Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal face a struggle to book an automatic World Cup berth after they just squeaked a 3-3 draw away to Israel yesterday, leaving them four points adrift of Group F leaders Russia.
Russia had hoped to bolster that margin with a win later away to Northern Ireland but Fabio Capello’s men must wait 24 hours after heavy snow in Belfast forced a postponement with the Windsor Park pitch unplayable.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after falling down during European zone qualifying group match against Israel at Tel Aviv. Pic/AFP
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Despite the presence of the likes of Real Madrid star Ronaldo, Portugal have struggled in recent qualifying tournaments.u00a0Having already dropped four points from their opening four fixtures they again found themselves on the back foot — despite taking a second-minute lead through Bruno Alves.
The Zenit St Petersburg veteran headed in from a corner but thereafter it was all Israel.u00a0Fine strikes from Tomer Hemed, of Spanish side Mallorca, midway through the first half and Eden Ben Basat on 40 minutes, followed by a Rami Gershon header in the 70th minute left the hosts on the brink of an upset.
But within two minutes former Tottenham striker Helder Postiga had pulled one back and then Fabio Coentrao, who had already hit the crossbar, rescued a point for Paulo Bento’s side after Hugo Almeida nodded on a Carlos Martins cross.
The draw leaves both Israel and the Portuguese on eight points from five matches in the tournament but with only the group winners guaranteed a berth in the finals in Brazil, the Russians appear to hold the whip hand.
Ronaldo had a quiet game by his own exalted standards and, adding to his frustration in front of goal, picked up a yellow card in the second half as the Portuguese showed the kind of shortcomings which marred their route to Euro 2012. u00a0He will miss Tuesday’s trip to Azerbaijan as a result.
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