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The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for Portugal with a injury-time winning goal in their World Cup qualifying clash against Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during added time to secure a narrow triumph, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought point, but in the end left empty-handed, despite restoring a good deal of pride with a gritty performance that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat leaves them facing elimination, with their initial trio of qualifying group games having yielded only a solitary draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a qualifying spot.

Key Moments

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

Hungary enhanced their hopes of qualifying by picking up their initial victory with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, climbing above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team the advantage in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in second-half added time.

Group K

The Serbian national team slipped to a narrow defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for his team with a neat volley in first-half added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in Group K persisted as they were held to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant qualifying group campaign with a comfortable win over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The win continued the European champions’ perfect record in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

Despite the unavailability of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. The home side dominated the encounter with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the second period with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Additional Results

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to stay close to Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was one of the scorers.
• The Italian squad improved their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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 last two global tournaments, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are leading on 18 points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team host Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on the table, the leaders’ much better goal ratio means a playoff spot probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.