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Rúben Neves was the hero for the Portuguese side with a dramatic 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 found the net during added time to claim a narrow triumph, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace late on to overcome a resilient Ireland team.

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

Nevertheless, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their first three Group F games having produced only a solitary point. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a qualifying spot.

Major Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have secured Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Results

Group F

The Hungarian team enhanced their hopes of qualifying by picking up their first win with a two-goal victory over Armenia, climbing above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the advantage in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the victory in late stoppage time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now seal their passage from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for Albania with a well-taken shot in first-half stoppage time.

The Latvian side difficulties in Group K continued as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 victory over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The win extended the European champions’ perfect run in qualifying, having notched 11 goals in three games without conceding.

In spite of the unavailability of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that spent the majority of the game defending deep. The home side dominated the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece routine, and his compatriot secured the victory in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after Mamardashvili had denied Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Additional Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in their section. The Spanish club’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least reaching the knockout stage with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso commented: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or Israel. We are aware of 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 primary chance after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in their qualifying group. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are a trio of points clear of Israel. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot likely awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.