CRISTIANO RONALDO SET FOR RECORD 6TH WORLD CUP, ITALY IN DANGER AGAIN AND IRELAND MAKE PLAYOFFS

Without the suspended Ronaldo, Portugal ensured the soccer great would have the chance to appear at a record sixth World Cup. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner will be 41 by the time the tournament kicks off next June, and Ronaldo recently said it would be his last shot at winning the one major title to elude him...

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Cristiano Ronaldo is heading to another World Cup. Erling Haaland is going to his first. Italy risks missing out on sport's biggest global event for the third straight edition. Portugal sealed its place at next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a 9-1 rout of Armenia. Haaland scored twice as Norway confirmed qualification with a 4-1 win against four-time world champion Italy, which was consigned to the playoffs. Ireland is also in the playoffs after a stunning late comeback to beat Hungary 3-2, while England ended its qualifying campaign with a 100% record by beating Albania 2-0.

RECORD-BREAKING RONALDO

Without the suspended Ronaldo, Portugal ensured the soccer great would have the chance to appear at a record sixth World Cup. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner will be 41 by the time the tournament kicks off next June, and Ronaldo recently said it would be his last shot at winning the one major title to elude him. Assuming he retains his fitness, he is expected to be part of coach Roberto Martinez's squad, though he may yet be suspended for as many as two matches after being sent off in Portugal's 2-0 loss to Ireland on Thursday. That surprise defeat meant Portugal had to beat Armenia to be certain of top place in Group F, and hat-tricks from Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves ensured there would be no slip-up.