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Rúben Neves was the hero for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp decisive strike in their World Cup match against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had denied a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder found the net during injury time to snatch a narrow triumph, four years after the star striker had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a gritty performance that erased some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat leaves them facing elimination, with their initial trio of qualifying group matches having produced only a solitary draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a qualifying spot.

Key Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit an Irish defender’s hand.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Additional Qualifying Results

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their hopes of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a two-goal victory over Armenia, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the points in late stoppage time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their passage from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken shot in late added time.

Latvia struggles in Group K persisted as they were held to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant qualifying group run with a comfortable victory over Georgia after strikes from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The result extended the title holders’ flawless run in the qualifiers, having notched 11 goals in three games without conceding.

In spite of the unavailability of players such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their dominance against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. The home side controlled the encounter with over eighty percent possession, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed set-piece routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Additional Results

• Turkey bounced back with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about Norway or our next opponents. We are aware of our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions falling short in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now looks their primary chance after Norway’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points ahead of Israel. The Estonian squad stay fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team host Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically catch the group leaders on points, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place likely awaits for the Italian squad.