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Rúben Neves saved the day for Portugal with a last-gasp decisive strike in their World Cup match against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had saved a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Game Overview

The Wolves midfielder headed home during added time to claim a narrow victory, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice at the death to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a significant amount of pride with a battling display that erased some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss leaves them staring down the barrel, with their first three qualifying group games having yielded only a solitary draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a playoff spot.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a point when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck 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

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of qualifying by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team 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 the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the only goal for his team with a well-taken shot in late stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. An Andorran player scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E run with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The win extended the European champions’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having notched 11 goals in three games without conceding.

Despite the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgian team that spent most of the match sitting back. The home side controlled the match with over eighty percent of the ball, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece move, and his compatriot secured the win in the second period with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a comprehensive thrashing over Bulgaria to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “We’re not thinking about Norway or our next opponents. We are aware of our responsibilities.”

Italy failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are top on 18 points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain fourth on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team face their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still mathematically catch Norway on the table, the Norwegians’ far superior goal ratio means a qualifying place likely beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.