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Rúben Neves saved the day for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp decisive strike in their World Cup clash against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during stoppage time to secure a 1-0 win, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss leaves them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group games having produced only a single draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a playoff place.

Key Moments

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Results

Group F

Hungary boosted their hopes of advancing by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 victory over the Armenian side, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the advantage in the opening period and a teammate secured the victory in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken shot in first-half added time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K continued as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E campaign with a comfortable victory over Georgia after goals from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The result extended the European champions’ perfect run in qualifying, having scored 11 goals in three matches 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 Georgian team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. The home side dominated the match 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 goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili preventing a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory in the second period with a stunning set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was one of the scorers.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the previous two global tournaments, on two occasions falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now looks their primary chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their competitors and are a trio of points clear of Israel. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure second spot and, while they can still mathematically catch Norway on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal ratio means a qualifying place probably beckons for the Italian squad.