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

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder found the net during added time to secure a slender triumph, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace late on to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of honor with a gritty performance that erased some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat leaves them facing elimination, with their first three Group F matches having yielded only a solitary point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a playoff spot.

Major Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• Neves saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he directed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Results

Group F

Hungary enhanced their chances of advancing by picking up their initial victory with a two-goal triumph over Armenia, moving above their opponents into second place behind the group leaders in Group F. A Hungarian forward provided his team the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning England can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in first-half stoppage time.

The Latvian side difficulties in Group K persisted as they were held to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive Group E campaign with a comfortable victory over Georgia after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in Elche. The win continued the European champions’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the unavailability of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that spent the majority of the game defending deep. Spain controlled the encounter with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a rout.

The scorer opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a comprehensive victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was one of the scorers.
• The Italian squad improved their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the last two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are leading on 18 points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their competitors and are three points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia stay in fourth place on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

Italy face their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on the table, the Norwegians’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place likely beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.