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Rúben Neves was the hero for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup match against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

The Wolves midfielder found the net during stoppage time to secure a narrow win, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace late on to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to leave Lisbon with a well-earned draw, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss puts them staring down the barrel, with their first three qualifying group matches having produced only a single draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of claiming a playoff spot.

Key Moments

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s shot had struck an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he directed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their hopes of advancing by securing their first win with a two-goal triumph over the Armenian side, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. Daniel Lukacs gave Hungary the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in second-half added time.

Group K

The Serbian national team suffered a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now seal their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the only goal for his team with a neat shot in first-half stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group continued as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera scored for the away side late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team continued their impressive qualifying group run with a 2-0 victory over Georgia after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The win extended the title holders’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three games without conceding.

Despite the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that spent the majority of the game defending deep. The home side controlled the encounter with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the victory in the second period with a stunning set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their prospects of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, another attacker, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach commented: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or Israel. We know 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 looks their most likely chance after Norway’s 5-0 hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points ahead of Israel. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the playoffs.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on points, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place probably awaits for the Italian squad.