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Rúben Neves came to the rescue for Portugal with a last-gasp decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying encounter against Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had denied a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder found the net during added time to secure a slender victory, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace at the death to defeat a resilient Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a battling display that erased some of the memories of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them facing elimination, with their first three qualifying group matches having yielded only a single point. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a qualifying place.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Group Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their hopes of advancing by securing their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. Daniel Lukacs gave his team the lead in the first half and a teammate made sure of the victory in second-half added time.

Group K

The Serbian national team suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for his team with a well-taken shot in first-half added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in Group K continued as they were held to a two-all tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera scored for the visitors late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team continued their dominant qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The win continued the European champions’ perfect run in qualifying, having scored 11 goals in three games without conceding.

Despite the absence of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. Spain dominated the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball move, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the second period with a spectacular free kick after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least reaching the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach commented: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or Israel. We are aware of what we have to do.”

Italy missed out for the last two global tournaments, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive win over Israel in their qualifying group. Norway are top on 18 points from six games. The Italians have 12 points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain in fourth place on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team host Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still mathematically catch Norway on points, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place probably beckons for the Italian squad.