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Rúben Neves was the hero for Portugal with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

The Wolves midfielder found the net during stoppage time to claim a slender win, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice at the death to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought point, but in the end left empty-handed, despite restoring a good deal of pride with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat puts them facing elimination, with their initial trio of qualifying group matches having yielded 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

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Group Outcomes

Group F

Hungary boosted their hopes of advancing by picking up their initial victory with a 2-0 victory over the Armenian side, 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 Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in late added time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for Albania with a neat volley in late stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K persisted as they were forced to a two-all tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 win over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The result continued the title holders’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three games without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgian team that passed most of the match defending deep. Spain dominated the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a rout.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the second period with a spectacular free kick after Mamardashvili had denied Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• Turkey bounced back 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 scorers.
• The Italian squad boosted their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or Israel. We are aware of what we have to do.”

The Azzurri missed out for the previous two global tournaments, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the dreaded playoff path now appears their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are top on 18 points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their rivals and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the qualifying stage.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically catch the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot probably beckons for the Italian squad.