🔗 Share this article

Rúben Neves saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic winner in their World Cup match against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had denied a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during injury time to snatch a narrow victory, four years after the star striker had scored twice late on to overcome a resilient Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of pride with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them staring down the barrel, with their first three qualifying group matches having produced only a solitary point. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a playoff place.

Key Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Group Results

Group F

Hungary enhanced their chances of advancing by picking up their initial victory with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. Daniel Lukacs gave his team the advantage in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the victory in late stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a narrow defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now secure 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 late stoppage time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group continued as they were forced to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E campaign with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the European champions’ flawless run in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without letting in a goal.

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 demonstrated their superiority against a Georgia team that passed most of the match defending deep. Spain controlled the encounter with over eighty percent possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a rout.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed set-piece move, and his compatriot secured the victory in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Results

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the scorers.
• Italy boosted their prospects of at least reaching the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or our next opponents. We know what we have to do.”

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now appears their primary chance after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake the group leaders on points, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a playoff spot probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.