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Rúben Neves came to the rescue for Portugal with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup clash against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Overview

Neves headed home during injury time to secure a slender win, several seasons after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite restoring a good deal of honor with a battling display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their first three qualifying group games having produced only a single point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of securing a qualifying spot.

Key Moments

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had hit an Irish defender’s hand.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Group Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of qualifying by picking up their initial victory with a 2-0 triumph over Armenia, climbing above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in late added time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning England can now seal their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for his team with a well-taken shot in first-half added time.

Latvia difficulties in their group continued 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 extend Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Group E

Spain continued their dominant qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The result continued the title holders’ flawless run in qualifying, having notched 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

In spite of the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that passed most of the match sitting back. Spain dominated the match with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to stay close to Spain in their section. The Spanish club’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad boosted their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach commented: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or Israel. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy failed to qualify for the previous two global tournaments, twice falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now looks their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 win over Israel in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia remain in fourth place on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the qualifying stage.

Italy host Israel on Tuesday, where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.