Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo is remaining confident that Portugal will reach next year's 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, despite being forced to enter the play-offs.
Portugal missed out on top spot in Group A on Sunday evening, suffering a shock 2-1 home defeat to Serbia in Lisbon. Both sides entered the winner-takes-all contest on 17 points, with Portugal knowing that a draw would have been enough to see them automatically qualify for the tournament on goal difference.
Despite taking the lead inside just two minutes through Renato Sanches, Portugal could not build on their early advantage and were pegged back just past the half hour mark through Ajax midfielder Dusan Tadic.
Serbia then completed a sensational comeback to snatch the victory in the final minute of the contest, courtesy of a header from in-form Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
That was enough to secure top spot in Group A for Serbia, securing their passage to their second consecutive World Cup.
For Portugal, they must now enter the play-offs next March, with only three of the 12 teams involved in that mini tournament reaching the finals in Qatar.
Despite the heartbreak of missing out on automatic qualification, Ronaldo is refusing to give up on his country's chances of joining the likes of Belgium and Spain at the showpiece event.
On his Instagram page, Ronaldo posted: "Football has shown us time and again that sometimes it's the winning road that lead us to the most desired wrecks.
"Yesterday's result was tough, but not enough to bring us down. The goal of attending the World Cup 2022 is still very much alive and we know what we have to do to get there.
"No excuses. Portugal bound for Qatar."
Portugal are yet to discover who they will face in the play-offs, but they will be considered as one of the favourites to advance to the tournament for a sixth successive appearance.
The play-offs will be staged between March 24 and 29.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
