🔗 Share this article

Rúben Neves was the hero for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp decisive strike in their World Cup encounter against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder headed home during injury time to snatch a 1-0 triumph, several seasons after the star striker had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a battling display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss puts them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of Group F matches having produced only a single point. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a qualifying place.

Major Moments

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their chances of advancing by securing their first win with a two-goal triumph over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the lead in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the victory in late added time.

Group K

The Serbian national team suffered a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for his team with a well-taken shot in first-half added time.

The Latvian side struggles in Group K persisted as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Group E

Spain maintained their impressive Group E campaign with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The result extended the European champions’ flawless run in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three matches without conceding.

Despite the unavailability of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that passed most of the match sitting back. Spain controlled the encounter with over eighty percent possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and Oyarzabal secured the victory in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in their section. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad boosted their prospects of at least reaching the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, another attacker, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or our next opponents. We know what we have to do.”

Italy missed out for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded playoff path now appears their most likely opportunity after Norway’s comprehensive win over Israel in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team host their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically catch Norway on points, the leaders’ far superior goal ratio means a playoff spot probably beckons for the Italian squad.