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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup encounter against the Republic of Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had denied a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder found the net during stoppage time to claim a narrow triumph, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a gritty performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of qualifying group matches having yielded only a single point. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of securing a playoff place.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Qualifying Results

Group F

Hungary enhanced their hopes of advancing by picking up their initial victory with a 2-0 triumph 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 first half and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

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

Latvia difficulties in Group K persisted as they were held to a two-all tie at home by Andorra. An Andorran player scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team continued their impressive Group E run with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The win extended the title holders’ perfect run in qualifying, having notched 11 goals in three games without letting in a goal.

Despite the unavailability of key figures such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. The home side controlled the encounter with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat.

Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s penalty.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over Bulgaria to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the knockout stage with a comfortable win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and a third scorer.

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

Italy failed to qualify for the previous two global tournaments, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are top on eighteen points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their competitors and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

Italy face their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal ratio means a playoff spot probably awaits for the Italian squad.