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Rúben Neves came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a dramatic winner in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

The Wolves midfielder found the net during added time to secure a 1-0 triumph, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to leave Lisbon with a well-earned draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of pride with a battling display that erased some of the memories of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

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

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Group Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of advancing by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, climbing above their rivals into second place behind the group leaders in Group F. Daniel Lukacs provided Hungary the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the points in late added time.

Group K

Serbia slipped to a narrow defeat at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the only goal for his team with a neat volley in late added time.

The Latvian side struggles in their group continued as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side late on from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Group E

Spain continued their dominant qualifying group run with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The win extended the European champions’ flawless run in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without letting in a goal.

In spite of the unavailability of players such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that spent the majority of the game defending deep. The home side dominated the encounter with over eighty percent of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Additional Results

• Turkey bounced back with a comprehensive thrashing over Bulgaria to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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

Italy missed out for the last two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now looks their most likely opportunity after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team host their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically overtake the group leaders on points, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a playoff spot probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.