Stoppage-Time Strike from Rúben Neves Stuns the Irish Following Caoimhín Kelleher Saves Cristiano Ronaldo Penalty

Rúben Neves was the hero for Portugal with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup match against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during added time to snatch a narrow triumph, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a battling performance that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss puts them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of qualifying group matches having produced only a solitary draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a playoff place.

Key Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• 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 Qualifying Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of advancing by picking up their first win with a two-goal victory over the Armenian side, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in second-half added time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the decisive strike for Albania with a neat volley in late added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group continued as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant qualifying group campaign with a comfortable win over Georgia after goals from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The win extended the European champions’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the unavailability of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that passed most of the match defending deep. Spain dominated the match with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili preventing a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece routine, and his compatriot secured the win in the 64th minute with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had saved a Spanish player’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the scorers.
• Italy improved their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or Israel. We are aware of what we have to do.”

Italy missed out for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 win over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are top on 18 points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the playoffs.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place likely beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.