🔗 Share this article

Rúben Neves came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup clash against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during injury time to claim a narrow victory, four years after Ronaldo had bagged a brace at the death to defeat a resilient Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but in the end left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of honor with a gritty performance that erased some of the memories of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss puts them in a difficult position, 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 claiming a qualifying place.

Key Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of added time when he directed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Group Results

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their chances of qualifying by picking up their initial victory with a two-goal triumph over the Armenian side, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. Daniel Lukacs provided his team the lead in the first half and a teammate secured the points in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning England can now seal their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for Albania with a neat volley in late stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group continued as they were held to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant qualifying group run with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The win extended the title holders’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three games without conceding.

In spite of the absence of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to injuries, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. Spain dominated the match with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece move, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• Turkey bounced back with a comprehensive victory over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in their section. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their hopes of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or Israel. We know what we have to do.”

Italy failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, on two occasions falling short in the playoffs, and the feared backdoor route now appears their most likely chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

Italy host Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on the table, the Norwegians’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.