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Rúben Neves saved the day for the Portuguese side with a injury-time winning goal in their World Cup qualifying clash against Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Overview

Neves found the net during stoppage time to claim a slender win, several seasons after the star striker had scored twice late on to defeat a resilient Irish side.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a battling performance that erased some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat puts them facing elimination, with their initial trio of qualifying group games having produced only a solitary draw. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of securing a playoff spot.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of added time when he directed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Results

Portugal’s Group

Hungary enhanced their chances of advancing by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in Group F. Daniel Lukacs provided Hungary the lead in the first half and a teammate made sure of the points in second-half added time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now seal their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for his team with a neat volley in first-half added time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K persisted as they were forced to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the visitors late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team continued their dominant qualifying group campaign with a comfortable win over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The result continued the title holders’ flawless run in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three games without letting in a goal.

Despite the unavailability of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their superiority against a Georgia team that spent the majority of the game defending deep. Spain controlled the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a clear chance, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a rout.

Pino broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a expertly taken set-piece routine, and his compatriot secured the victory in the second period with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about Norway or Israel. We know what we have to do.”

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the playoffs, and the feared backdoor route now appears their most likely chance after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage.

Italy host Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot likely awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.