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Rúben Neves saved the day for the Portuguese side with a dramatic winning goal in their World Cup match against the Republic of Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Overview

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during added time to snatch a 1-0 triumph, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace late on to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to leave Lisbon with a well-earned draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of honor with a battling display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss puts them facing elimination, with their first three Group F matches having produced only a solitary draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a qualifying spot.

Major Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s hand.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Results

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their hopes of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a two-goal triumph over Armenia, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the advantage in the first half and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team slipped to a narrow loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now seal their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for his team with a neat volley in late stoppage time.

The Latvian side struggles in Group K persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Spain’s Group

Spain maintained their dominant Group E run with a 2-0 victory over Georgia after strikes from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the European champions’ flawless run in qualifying, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

Despite the unavailability of players such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. The home side dominated the match with over eighty percent of the ball, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or generate a clear chance, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a rout.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the 64th minute with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in their section. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad boosted their prospects of at least reaching the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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

Italy missed out for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the feared backdoor route now looks their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six matches. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points ahead of Israel. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team host Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on points, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot likely beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.