🔗 Share this article

The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winner in their World Cup clash against the Republic of Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

Neves nodded in during injury time to claim a narrow triumph, four years after the star striker had scored twice at the death to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a battling display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them staring down the barrel, with their first three Group F games having produced only a solitary point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of claiming a qualifying place.

Key Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit an Irish defender’s hand.
• Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Results

Portugal’s Group

Hungary enhanced their chances of qualifying by picking up their initial victory with a two-goal victory over the Armenian side, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave his team the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the victory in late stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the decisive strike for his team with a well-taken volley in first-half stoppage time.

The Latvian side difficulties in Group K persisted as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant qualifying group run with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The result continued the European champions’ perfect run in qualifying, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the unavailability of key figures such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that passed most of the match sitting back. Spain controlled the encounter with over eighty percent of the ball, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a expertly taken set-piece routine, and his compatriot secured the victory in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had denied a Spanish player’s penalty.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their hopes of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach commented: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or Israel. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the last two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are top on 18 points from six games. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake Norway on points, the Norwegians’ much better goal ratio means a qualifying place likely awaits for the Italian squad.