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Rúben Neves came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a injury-time winner in their World Cup qualifying encounter against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Summary

Neves nodded in during added time to claim a 1-0 triumph, four years after the star striker had scored twice at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of honor with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat leaves them facing elimination, with their first three Group F games having produced only a single draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a playoff spot.

Key Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have secured Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s hand.
• Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Additional Group Results

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their chances of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 triumph over Armenia, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the advantage in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in late stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now seal their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the decisive strike for his team with a neat shot in late stoppage time.

Latvia struggles in Group K persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team continued their dominant Group E campaign with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The result extended the title holders’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three games without conceding.

Despite the unavailability of key figures such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their dominance against a Georgian team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain controlled the encounter with over eighty percent possession, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the win in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in their section. Real Madrid’s a young talent was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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

The Azzurri missed out for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are leading on 18 points from six games. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points clear of Israel. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team host their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake Norway on the table, the leaders’ much better goal ratio means a playoff spot likely awaits for the Italian squad.