And the dream repeats: Portugal drew this Friday with the United States (16-16) and secured qualification for the Rugby World Cup. The Wolves only needed to draw with the North American team and they achieved precisely that result, securing their presence in the World Cup for the second time in history and 16 years after the first and last, in 2007.
Now the world knows what ESPÍRITO DO LOBO means ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️????????????????????????????????? ???? ?? ?????????? pic.twitter.com/NC9HSjNdQP
— Portugal Rugby (@PortugalRugby) November 18, 2022
Previously, the National Team had failed to qualify in the last two editions of the european championship???????? A 10-point penalty applied to Spain for the irregular use of an ineligible player, however, put Portugal back in the fight through the last repechage tournament. Thus, on the third and final day, the Portuguese team played a real final against the United States this Friday, since the two teams were tied at the top of the table.
“Not every day you have the opportunity to reach a World Cup. When we are given a second chance, we have to do everything we can to take advantage of it. The whole team is focused on that and we are very confident. We cannot be fooled by the two victories. With all due respect to our other opponents, we knew that the United States would be our big opponent in this tournament. It is obvious that these matches were important to create routines but our focus is totally on this match”, explained the Portuguese captain Tomás Appleton in the preview, recalling the clear victories against Hong Kong (42-14) and Kenya (85-0) in the previous two days.
???????? PORTUGAL IS GOING TO FRANCE!!!! ????????
They have defeated the USA on aggregate to qualify for Pool C by #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/tJC6M2x98n
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) November 18, 2022
Patrice Lagisquet, the coach, defended that Portugal was in good shape. “What I am sure of today is that we are much better prepared now than during the Six Nations Tournament, where we had significant absences due to injury or Covid-19. Now, in Dubai, we have all been together these two weeks, we are confident and together we can achieve our goal. Portugal has quality youngsters and can have more decisive games like this in the future. I hope they have other opportunities to qualify for a World Cup. But for some players, yes, this could be their last chance. I hope it’s not the last game for them, but for those who are in the same situation in the United States”, shot the coach, recalling that the United States was present in the last six World Cups.
Thus, in Dubai, Portugal reached halftime defeating the United States 10-9, in a very balanced first half but where the Portuguese were consistently the most dangerous team. In a second half that even started well, with a free kick converted by Samuel Marques, the Americans managed to turn around and went ahead until the last moment. Later, after Jerónimo Portela hit the post, Samuel Marques himself converted the decisive shot and secured the draw (16-16), placing the National Team in the 2023 World Cup, which will take place in France.
See you in France @PortugalRugby???????? ????????#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/kenWHGT1M2
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 18, 2022
Source: Observadora
