Portugal 1-2 Serbia: 5 talking points as Mitrovic scores dramatic injury-time winner to dump Selecao into play-offs | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

#3 Portugal pay the price for complacency

Portugal should've long killed the game off

What really should've been a comfortable victory ended in a heartbreaking loss for Portugal, who now have to go through the dreaded play-off round once again to book their place at the Qatar showpiece.

Frankly, this is all their own doing. The Selecao were at home, had the goal-difference advantage, had never lost to Serbia before, and most importantly, have a squad stacked with superstars.

Yet, here we are. Following the early opener, it looked as if they were going to cruise through the rest of the match hassle-free, but Fernando Santos' side failed to finish the game off and dropped deep, allowing Serbian pressure to pile up.

While Rui Patricio could've done better for Tadic's goal, Portugal's defense switched off for Serbia's second, and Mitrovic was absolutely unmarked inside the box while placing his header into the net.

---

#2 Mitrovic beats Ronaldo in the battle of goalscoring talismen

Mitrovic outshined Ronaldo with a late winner

The game saw two of the most prolific marksmen from Group A, Ronaldo and Mitrovic, go head-to-head once again. Given the circumstances, it was always going to boil down to them to produce late heroics.

But few would've bet on Mitrovic to do that over Ronaldo, who had a quiet night instead.

The Fulham striker snuck in behind the Portuguese defense to head in a fine whipped cross from Tadic from close range, stunning the mighty home side.

That was his eighth goal of the qualifying campaign, two more than his Manchester United counterpart, who drew a blank in consecutive games.

---

#1 Is this the World Cup without Ronaldo?

Ronaldo will be almost 38 until the 2022 World Cup kicks off!

All is not yet lost for Portugal, despite the loss. They're still very much in the race to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, but it only gets tougher from here.

The play-offs are a one-legged affair, so there's virtually no room for error, and as Serbia showed last night, nothing is ever a guarantee.

The Selecao might as well be the most decorated side in the round, but they will face some tough opposition.

Sweden, North Macedonia, Wales, Scotland and Russia have booked their place in the play-offs, while one of Italy and Switzerland will also be joining them.

Portugal qualified for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups only after winning in the play-offs, but it has become more competitive than ever before since then.

The Qatar showpiece is also likely to be the final international swansong for Ronaldo, who'll be almost 38 by the time it comes around.

But now, thanks to Portugal's disappointing campaign, he risks missing out on a spot in the competition altogether.

Can he step up and drag his team to the finals again?