World Cup 2022: All Eyes on Record-Breaking Ronaldo on the Algarve!

Portugal vs Republic of Ireland

All the talk in recent days has been about one man – Cristiano Ronaldo – and his much-anticipated Premier League return.

Yet it’s easy to forget he could be leading his country in three World Cup 2022 qualifying matches of importance before he even arrives back in England –breaking more records in the process.

The last time I actually saw Portugal play was the night they relinquished their European crown.

Some deemed it as a kind of failure. I saw it as unfortunate after navigating an unforgiving group stage, which also comprised the world champions France and the traditional powerhouse of Germany, before going down narrowly to world number one ranked Belgium in the last 16.

I also noticed (and yes some were penalties) that Cristiano Ronaldo finished as the tournament’s joint-leading scorer, despite Portugal’s early exit.

His unsated will to win is clear so, as he chases yet another record for his personal roll of honour, who can bet against him – even at the age of 36 – making more headlines this week, just days after a sensational club return was announced.

Talking Points

World Cup 2022 highlights will certainly be in the record books if Ronaldo becomes the world’s all-time leading international scorer this week.

CR7 is looking for the goal to surpass Iran forward Ali Daei’s 109 haul.

If so, it will be fitting that at least some fans are there in person to witness history.

Health authorities have allowed one-third of Faro’s 30,305-seater Estádio Algarve to be opened for the game in Group A against the Republic of Ireland, a group which Portugal lead on seven points, marginally ahead of Serbia on goal difference.

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Premier League

Ronaldo was actually a doubt with an arm injury sustained in training with last week but head coach Fernando Santos has included him in the squad, along with future club team-mate Bruno Fernandes.

They are just part of a star-studded squad which features names from the Premier League such as Manchester City trio João Cancelo, Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and new faces Otávio, Gonçalo Inácio, João Mário and Diogo Costa (not to be confused with Diego Costa!).

Santos, who guided the nation to Euro 2016 glory, is certainly not taking Ireland for granted and has warned his players they need to be at their best to make sure of three World Cup points.

Realistically, this could be ‘men against boys’ though.

After two games in three days in March, Ireland were dead in the water.

The first was an honourable 3-2 defeat to Serbia in Belgrade. The second, the 1-0 home defeat to Luxembourg, has entered the infamous annals of all-time Irish shockers.

World Cup 2022: Can Ireland disappoint Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal supporters? — Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny shouts instructions from the touchline during a World Cup 2022 qualifier against Luxembourg at Aviva Stadium

Manager Stephen Kenny knows Ireland will be under the cosh but has acknowledged in the build-up that they can’t defend all the time.

I suspect they will probably have to.

So Portugal are big favourites – with or without Cristiano – and once these qualifiers are out of the way, then let the focus resume on the Premier League jamboree.

History

I could not think of a single encounter between these nations when I began writing this report.

Turns out, there have been 13 meetings, most of them friendlies, since their very first encounter in 1946.

The most recent was in 2014 when Portugal, two years before they were crowned champions of Europe, ran out 5-1 winners in a friendly in the USA, led by two goals from Hugo Almeida.

Before that, they had met in 2005 in Dublin when an Andy O’Brien goal was enough to give Eire victory.

The most recent competitive meetings were two decades ago when they drew 1-1, both home and away, in qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup.

In Lisbon, Conceicao and Matty Holland traded goals as did two greats, Roy Keane and Luis Figo, in the return fixture in Dublin.

Betting Tip

	Portugal vs Republic of Ireland	Portugal First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.02
	September 2, 02:45 (GMT+8)

Given Portugal top Group A with seven points and that Ireland have lost their opening two matches, no wonder the SBOTOP World Cup 2022 betting odds firmly back the hosts.

The odds on the hosts won’t earn you a big payday mind: 1X2 @ 1.23 compared to the Irish 1X2 @ 8.00.

Likewise, it’s clear with Asian Handicap odds too as Portugal are priced -1.50 @ 1.80 and Eire +1.50 @ 2.04.

Goals are expected with various odds to consider such as total goal 0-1 @ 2.93, 2-3 @ 1.86 and 4-6 @ 3.55, whereas a repeat of their last competitive meeting – correct score 1-1 – is on offer @ 14.00.

The 1X2 draw @ 5.60 may appeal to some, as may over 2.50 goals @ 1.96, but I can’t back against the Portuguese and my prediction is Portugal at -0.75 to win on the first half Asian handicap market.