🔗 Share this article

The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for the Portuguese side with a dramatic winner in their World Cup clash against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

Neves nodded in during injury time to secure a 1-0 triumph, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of honor with a battling display that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss leaves them facing elimination, with their first three Group F matches having yielded only a solitary draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a qualifying spot.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

Hungary enhanced their hopes of advancing by securing their first win with a two-goal victory over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into second place behind the group leaders in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave his team the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for Albania with a neat shot in late added time.

Latvia struggles in Group K continued as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive qualifying group run with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The win extended the title holders’ perfect run in qualifying, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

In spite of the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor 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 encounter with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the 64th minute with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• Turkey bounced back with a comprehensive thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the previous two global tournaments, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now appears their most likely chance after Norway’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are top on eighteen points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their competitors and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the runners-up entering the qualifying stage.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically catch the group leaders on the table, the Norwegians’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place probably beckons for the Italian squad.