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Rúben Neves was the hero for Portugal with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup match against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

Neves headed home during added time to secure a narrow victory, several seasons after the star striker had scored twice late on to defeat a resilient Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of honor with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat leaves them facing elimination, with their initial trio of Group F games having produced only a solitary point. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of claiming a qualifying place.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have secured Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of added time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Additional Qualifying Results

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their chances of qualifying 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 Group F. A Hungarian forward gave his team the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a narrow defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their passage from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for Albania with a neat volley in first-half stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K persisted as they were held to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive qualifying group run with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in Elche. The win extended the European champions’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three games without conceding.

In spite of the absence of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their dominance against a Georgia team that passed most of the match defending deep. The home side dominated the match with over eighty percent possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a clear chance, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to stay close to Spain in their section. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was one of the scorers.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach commented: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or our next opponents. We are aware of what we have to do.”

Italy missed out for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions falling short in the playoffs, and the feared backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are top on eighteen points from six games. The Italians have twelve points with a game in hand on their competitors and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the qualifying stage.

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