We said Turkey needed to improve and they have.

Kutlu arrives at the back post but can't squeeze his header on target. Good chance.

Another corner. Another attempt to clear the danger by Stole Dimitrievski.

This time he flaps at it and the ball drops to the ground, but there isn't a blue shirt near enough to punish him.

Oooh. Portgual give it away at the back and Cengiz Under fancies his chances from range, but can only curl into the palms of Diogo Costa.

For all of Italy's possession and deliveries into the box, they are yet to really trouble Stole Dimitrievski.

The North Macedonian keeper has yet to make a significant save as Italy continue to huff and puff.

Image source, Getty Images

Turkey need to come up with a lot more than they have managed in the opening 20 minutes if they are going to keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup alive.

They have improved since the goal, mind.

The corner is whipped in but Stole Dimitrievski is off his line well to swat it away.

North Macedonia remain resolute for now but their defence is taking a stern examination.

You'll be pleased to know Visar Musliu is back on his feet, with everything still in tact.

But here come the blue shirts again. This early onslaught has been relentless by the European champions.

How's he not scored?!

What a delivery from Bruno Fernandes, dropping almost underneath the crossbar, and Diogo Jota slides in to jab a foot at it but somehow coaxes the ball over the crossbar.

Huge chance.

Cristiano Ronaldo is all thumbs up and that-was-ever-so-close grimaces tonight, as a string of crosses almost find him in the middle in the opening stages. He's the man the hosts are looking for. Otavio wins a free-kick in a dangerous position, so another will be coming Ronaldo's way...

Ouch!

Just a slight delay in proceedings as Visar Musliu catches one right in the place where it hurts.

The defender puts his body on the line as Domenico Berardi swivels and volleys at goal.

A welcome breather for the visitors.

Portugal are pressing well and Ugurcan Cakir is rushed into a clearance that goes straight out of play. It's competitive, though. A few tackles flying in early doors.

First sight of goal for the Azzurri.

The loose ball falls to Emerson just outside the box but his effort sails high over the bar.

Never any danger of that one troubling the North Macedonian goal.

It was Zeki Celik who got his head in there to stop Cristiano Ronaldo nodding that cross goalwards - he felt the force of the Manchester United man's attempted header instead.

It's a bright start by the hosts in Palermo as they retain possession down the left.

Domenico Berardi breaks through a tackle before being crowded out.

Turkey go direct from the off but are almost caught out by the hosts, with Cristiano Ronaldo lurking and just unable to get his head to a dangerous cross from the right.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Right then, anthems done in both Porto and Palermo and we are under way!

Portugal boss Fernando Santos, on the threat Turkey pose: “They have some very important players. Their whole team is strong, but [Hakan] Calhanoglu is the stand-out player.

"In my opinion, Turkey are best in games where the play is broken up, with much stopping and starting. We'll have to put up a fight and find ourselves in that kind of game.

“Turkey have top-quality players who play in England, France, Italy. However, we know the characteristics of Turkish football - strong passing, execution and creativity.

"They are a very aggressive team, in a good way. They are competitive and play with a lot of heart.”

One for the Azzurri now...

Wembley will host the revived 'Finalissima' match between European champions Italy and Copa America winners Argentina on 1 June.

European football's governing body Uefa and South American counterparts Conmebol agreed last year to play three editions of the intercontinental match.

London was confirmed as the host city in December and Uefa now says the national stadium will be the venue.

It will be the first time the fixture has been played since 1993.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Portugal's Diogo Jota: "We don't expect Turkey to be an easy opponent. They finished second in their group behind the Netherlands, but won their first game against them. It will be like a final and I hope Portugal will prove we are better than them tonight.

“Turkey are not an easy opponent but Portugal have all we need to win. Portugal need to be efficient to take advantage of opportunities to the fullest, and we need to maintain a good team spirit to get to the World Cup.

"It is important to score but it is also important not to give opportunities to our opponents and to take advantage of the ones that come our way.”