Ronaldo v Ibrahimovic in World Cup play-offs
Clash of superstars as Portugal and Sweden drawn to meet each other; France will play Ukraine, Greece are paired with Romania and Iceland take on Croatia
It will be Cristiano Ronaldo versus Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a place at soccer’s World Cup.
Portugal and Sweden were the first two teams drawn by Fifa for the European play-offs, though the pairing was talked about as a clash of superstar forwards in a two-leg series scheduled for November 15 and 19.
“World-class players like Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic, they do something extra to change the game,” said Sweden coach Erik Hamren.
World-class players like Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic, they do something extra to change the game
Portugal coach Paulo Bento said: “They will be evenly balanced and very competitive games. Ibrahimovic is an imposing figure, but the Swedes are more than that, they are good collectively.”
Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic were consigned to the play-offs after their teams finished second in their qualifying groups behind Russia and Germany, respectively.
Also, France will play Ukraine, with the return game in Paris; Greece were paired with Romania; and Iceland, the lowest ranked of the eight teams at No 46 in the world, will host the first leg against Croatia, which fired its coach last week. The four winners will complete Europe’s 13 entries in the 32-team World Cup draw on December 6 in Salvador, Brazil.
Portugal also had to advance to the 2010 World Cup through a play-off, after twice drawing 0-0 with Sweden in the group.
France, the 2006 World Cup runner-up, also makes its second straight trip to the play-offs after defending champion Spain won its group. Four years ago, a notorious handball by Thierry Henry helped France beat Ireland in extra time.