🔗 Share this article

The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup encounter against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during added time to secure a narrow victory, four years after the star striker had scored twice late on to defeat a resilient Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of honor with a gritty display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of Group F games having yielded only a solitary draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a playoff place.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal 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 enhanced their chances of advancing by securing their initial victory with a two-goal victory over the Armenian side, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in Group F. Daniel Lukacs gave his team the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in late stoppage time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the only goal for Albania with a well-taken volley in first-half added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group persisted as they were held to a 2-2 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 qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E run with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in Elche. The win continued the title holders’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having notched 11 goals in three matches without conceding.

In spite of the unavailability of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgia team that spent most of the match sitting back. Spain 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 shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory in the second period with a spectacular free kick after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Scores

• Turkey bounced back with a comprehensive thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or Israel. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the dreaded playoff path now appears their most likely chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are leading on eighteen points from six games. The Italians have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of their next opponents. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ much better goal ratio means a playoff spot likely beckons for the Italian squad.