🔗 Share this article

Rúben Neves was the hero for Portugal with a last-gasp winner in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

Neves headed home during stoppage time to claim a narrow win, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

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 pride with a gritty display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group matches having produced only a single draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a qualifying place.

Major Moments

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team boosted their chances of advancing by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over the Armenian side, climbing above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in late stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia suffered a narrow loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now seal their passage from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the decisive strike for Albania with a neat volley in first-half added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group continued as they were held to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team continued their impressive qualifying group run with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The result continued the title holders’ perfect run in qualifying, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad demonstrated their dominance against a Georgia team that spent most of the match sitting back. The home side dominated the match with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a rout.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or Israel. We are aware of our responsibilities.”

The Azzurri missed out for the previous two global tournaments, on two occasions falling short in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 win over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of Israel. Estonia remain in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on points, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.