🔗 Share this article

The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup qualifying encounter against the Republic of Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder found the net during stoppage time to secure a narrow win, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace late on to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought draw, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a battling display that erased some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat leaves them in a difficult position, with their initial trio of qualifying group matches having produced only a solitary draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a qualifying place.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s hand.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of added time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Group Results

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their chances 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 provided his team the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the only goal for Albania with a well-taken shot in late stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera 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 five games.

Group E

The Spanish national team continued their impressive qualifying group campaign with a comfortable victory over Georgia after strikes from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The result continued the title holders’ perfect record in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three games without letting in a goal.

In spite of the absence of key figures such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. Spain controlled the encounter with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after Mamardashvili had denied Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in their section. The Spanish club’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 victory away to Estonia, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, another attacker, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or Israel. We are aware of our responsibilities.”

Italy failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, on two occasions falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now appears their primary opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 win over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are leading on 18 points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their competitors and are a trio of points ahead of Israel. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides going into the playoffs.

The Italian national team host Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake Norway on points, the leaders’ much better goal ratio means a qualifying place likely awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.