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Rúben Neves saved the day for Portugal with a last-gasp decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying encounter against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Overview

The Wolves midfielder found the net during added time to secure a slender triumph, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but in the end left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a battling display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

However, the loss puts them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group matches having yielded only a solitary draw. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a playoff spot.

Key Moments

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Additional Group Results

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their chances of advancing by picking up their initial victory with a 2-0 triumph over the Armenian side, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. Daniel Lukacs provided Hungary the lead in the opening period and a teammate secured the victory in late stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia suffered a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for his team with a neat volley in late added time.

Latvia struggles in Group K persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

Spain continued their impressive qualifying group campaign with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the title holders’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having notched 11 goals in three games without letting in a goal.

In spite of the absence of key figures such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and Rodri due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their dominance against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. Spain dominated the encounter with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the second period with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Scores

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was among the scorers.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the previous two World Cups, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now looks their most likely opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 win over the Israeli side in Group I. The Norwegians are leading on 18 points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their competitors and are three points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay fourth on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

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