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Rúben Neves saved the day for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp decisive strike in their World Cup encounter against Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

Neves nodded in during injury time to snatch a slender triumph, four years after the star striker had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a resilient Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss puts them staring down the barrel, with their first three Group F games having yielded only a solitary draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a qualifying spot.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue 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 chances of advancing by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the advantage in the first half and a teammate secured the points in late stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for Albania with a neat shot in late added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera scored for the visitors late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant Group E campaign with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The win extended the European champions’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three games without letting in a goal.

Despite the unavailability of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their dominance against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. The home side controlled the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had denied Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Additional Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad boosted their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso commented: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders 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 playoffs, and the dreaded playoff path now looks their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are top on eighteen points from six games. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the playoffs.

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