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Rúben Neves saved the day for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winner in their World Cup encounter against the Republic of Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Summary

Neves headed home during stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 triumph, four years after the star striker 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 left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a gritty display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

However, the loss puts them in a difficult position, with their initial trio of qualifying group games having produced only a solitary draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a qualifying place.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal in the first minute of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Additional Qualifying Results

Group F

Hungary boosted their chances of qualifying by securing their first win with a two-goal triumph over Armenia, climbing above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave his team the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in late added time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team slipped to a narrow defeat at home to Albania, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now seal their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for his team with a well-taken volley in first-half added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group continued as they were forced to a two-all tie at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

Spain continued their dominant qualifying group run with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The win extended the European champions’ flawless record in qualifying, having notched eleven strikes in three games without conceding.

In spite of the absence of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that spent most of the match sitting back. Spain dominated the match with over eighty percent possession, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or generate a clear chance, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece move, and his compatriot secured the win in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in their section. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least making the knockout stage with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

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

The Azzurri missed out for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their primary opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 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 in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the tournament, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

Italy host their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on the table, the Norwegians’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place likely beckons for the Italian squad.