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

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder found the net during stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 win, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of pride with a gritty display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them staring down the barrel, with their first three qualifying group matches having produced only a single point. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of claiming a playoff place.

Major Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Group F

Hungary enhanced their hopes of advancing by picking up their first win with a two-goal triumph over Armenia, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in late added time.

England’s Group

Serbia suffered a narrow defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for his team with a neat shot in first-half stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group continued as they were held to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera scored for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E run with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The win extended the European champions’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three games without letting in a goal.

In spite of the absence of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that spent most of the match defending deep. The home side controlled the match with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot 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 dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the victory in the 64th minute with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Additional Results

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their prospects of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, 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 are aware of what we have to do.”

Italy missed out for the last two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now appears their primary chance after Norway’s 5-0 hammering over Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points clear of Israel. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides going into the qualifying stage.

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