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Rúben Neves came to the rescue for Portugal with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying clash against Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder headed home during stoppage time to snatch a narrow triumph, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace at the death to defeat a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of honor with a gritty display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

However, the defeat leaves them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group games having produced only a single draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a qualifying place.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s effort had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• Neves saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Other Group Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of qualifying by picking up their first win with a two-goal victory over the Armenian side, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. Daniel Lukacs gave Hungary the advantage in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the victory in late stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their passage from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the decisive strike for his team with a well-taken shot in first-half stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were held to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the visitors late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E run with a comfortable win over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in Elche. The win extended the European champions’ flawless record in qualifying, having scored 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. The home side dominated the match with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper their keeper averting a rout.

Pino broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a expertly taken dead-ball move, and his compatriot secured the win in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or Israel. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the previous two global tournaments, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now appears their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 win over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. The Norwegians are top on 18 points from six games. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of Israel. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team face their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on points, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place likely awaits for the Italian squad.