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Rúben Neves was the hero for the Portuguese side with a dramatic winning goal in their World Cup encounter against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Overview

Neves found the net during stoppage time to snatch a slender win, four years after the star striker had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a gritty performance that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them in a difficult position, with their initial trio of qualifying group games having yielded only a single draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a playoff place.

Major Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have secured Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Additional Qualifying Results

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of advancing by securing their initial victory with a two-goal triumph over the Armenian side, climbing above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in Group F. Daniel Lukacs gave Hungary the lead in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the victory in late added time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team slipped to a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the only goal for his team with a well-taken volley in first-half stoppage time.

The Latvian side difficulties in Group K persisted as they were forced to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the visitors late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive Group E campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The win extended the title holders’ flawless run in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three games without letting in a goal.

In spite of the unavailability of key figures such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgian team that spent most of the match sitting back. Spain controlled the match with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a clear chance, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat.

Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a expertly taken dead-ball move, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Additional Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on the group leaders in their section. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their hopes of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or Israel. We are aware of what we have to do.”

Italy failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, twice falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the dreaded playoff path now looks their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are leading on 18 points from six games. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points ahead of Israel. The Estonian squad remain in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

Italy face their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake Norway on points, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.