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Rúben Neves came to the rescue for Portugal with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup clash against the Republic of Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Match Summary

Neves found the net during added time to secure a 1-0 triumph, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice at the death to overcome a resilient Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but in the end left empty-handed, 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 in a difficult position, with their initial trio of Group F games having produced only a single point. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of securing a qualifying spot.

Major Moments

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit an Irish defender’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their chances of advancing by picking up their initial victory with a two-goal victory over Armenia, moving above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the victory in late added time.

Group K

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now seal their qualification from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for Albania with a neat volley in first-half added time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K continued as they were forced to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the visitors late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Group E

Spain maintained their impressive qualifying group campaign with a comfortable victory over Georgia after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The result continued the title holders’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

Despite the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgia team that spent most of the match sitting back. Spain controlled the encounter with over eighty percent of the ball, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a rout.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the second period with a stunning set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Additional Scores

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the scorers.
• Italy improved their prospects of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or Israel. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the dreaded playoff path now appears their primary opportunity after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over Israel 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 their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay fourth on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team host their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would secure second spot and, while they can still mathematically catch Norway on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal ratio means a qualifying place likely beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.