🔗 Share this article

Rúben Neves saved the day for the Portuguese side with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup encounter against the Republic of Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had denied a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder headed home during injury time to snatch a 1-0 win, several seasons after the star striker had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a gritty display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss leaves them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of Group F matches having produced only a solitary point. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a playoff spot.

Major Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of added time when he directed Trincão’s cross 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 victory over Armenia, climbing above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. Daniel Lukacs gave his team the lead in the first half and a teammate made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for Albania with a neat volley in first-half added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in Group K continued as they were forced to a two-all tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

Spain continued their dominant Group E run with a comfortable win over Georgia after strikes from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The result continued the European champions’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three games without conceding.

In spite of the unavailability of key figures such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their dominance against a Georgian team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. The home side dominated the match with over eighty percent possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or create a clear chance, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a expertly taken set-piece routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory in the second period with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Additional Results

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least making the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach commented: “We’re not thinking about Norway or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.”

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the previous two global tournaments, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 win over Israel in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of Israel. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly 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 overtake Norway on points, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot likely awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.