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Rúben Neves saved the day for Portugal with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying match against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Overview

Neves nodded in during stoppage time to snatch a slender triumph, several seasons after the star striker had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn 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 regaining a significant amount of pride with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat leaves them in a difficult position, with their first three Group F matches having yielded only a single draw. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a playoff spot.

Key Moments

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Additional Qualifying Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team enhanced their chances of advancing by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over the Armenian side, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. Daniel Lukacs gave his team the advantage in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in late added time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now seal their passage from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken shot in late stoppage time.

Latvia struggles in Group K continued as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Spain’s Group

Spain continued their impressive qualifying group campaign with a comfortable win over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the title holders’ perfect run in qualifying, having notched 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

In spite of the unavailability of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their dominance against a Georgian team that spent the majority of the game defending deep. The home side controlled the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a rout.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece move, and Oyarzabal secured the victory in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad boosted their hopes of at least reaching the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or Israel. We know what we have to do.”

The Azzurri missed out for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over Israel in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on 18 points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically catch Norway on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot likely beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.