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Rúben Neves was the hero for the Portuguese side with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Overview

Neves found the net during stoppage time to secure a slender triumph, four years after the star striker had scored twice late on to defeat a resilient Irish side.

The Irish squad looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of honor with a battling display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their first three Group F matches having produced only a single point. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of securing a playoff place.

Key Incidents

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a draw when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s hand.
• Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Group Results

Group F

The Hungarian team enhanced their chances of qualifying by securing their first win with a 2-0 triumph over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. Daniel Lukacs provided Hungary the lead in the first half and a teammate secured the victory in late stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a narrow loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the only goal for his team with a neat volley in first-half added time.

The Latvian side struggles in Group K persisted as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 victory over Georgia after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in Elche. The win continued the European champions’ flawless 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, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgia team that spent most of the match sitting back. The home side controlled the match with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the second period with a spectacular free kick after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their hopes of at least reaching the knockout stage with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “We’re not thinking about Norway or Israel. We are aware of what we have to do.”

Italy failed to qualify for the previous two global tournaments, twice falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the dreaded playoff path now appears their most likely chance after Norway’s 5-0 hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their competitors and are three points clear of Israel. The Estonian squad stay fourth on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the qualifying stage.

Italy face their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on points, the leaders’ far superior goal ratio means a playoff spot probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.