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Rúben Neves was the hero for Portugal with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

The Wolves midfielder headed home during added time to claim a slender win, four years after the star striker had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group matches having yielded only a solitary point. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a qualifying place.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Results

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their hopes of advancing by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave his team the advantage in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in late added time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning England can now seal their passage from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in late added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in Group K persisted as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E campaign with a comfortable victory over Georgia after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The win continued the title holders’ flawless run in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of key figures such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to injuries, the Spanish squad demonstrated their dominance against a Georgian team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain dominated the match with over eighty percent of the ball, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after Mamardashvili had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Additional Results

• The Turkish national team bounced back 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 one of the scorers.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and a third scorer.

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

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now appears their primary opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 win over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia remain in fourth place on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

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 the table, the Norwegians’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot probably beckons for the Italian squad.