One of Italy or Portugal will not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after the two titans were drawn in the same section of the European play-offs for the tournament.
Both seeded for Friday’s draw, reigning European Champions Italy and 2016 continental kings Portugal were placed in the same ‘path’, meaning they are on a potential collision course if they want to book a place in next year’s showpiece.
Elsewhere, Russia will have to negotiate a home semi-final with Poland before a potential final, also at home, against Sweden or the Czech Republic.
