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Rúben Neves was the hero for the Portuguese side with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup match against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

Neves found the net during stoppage time to claim a 1-0 triumph, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a resilient Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite restoring a significant amount of honor with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss puts them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of qualifying group games having yielded only a single draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a qualifying place.

Key Moments

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Additional Group Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their chances of advancing by securing their first win with a 2-0 triumph over Armenia, moving above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in the standings. Daniel Lukacs gave Hungary the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in late stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the decisive strike for his team with a well-taken volley in late stoppage time.

The Latvian side struggles in their group continued as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera scored for the visitors late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained 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 win extended the title holders’ perfect record in the qualifiers, having notched 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their dominance against a Georgian team that spent most of the match defending deep. The home side dominated the encounter with over eighty percent possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso commented: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the previous two global tournaments, twice falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 win over Israel in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on 18 points from six matches. The Italians have twelve points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team face their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot likely beckons for the Italian squad.