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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup qualifying match against Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had saved a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during injury time to snatch a 1-0 victory, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

The Irish squad looked set to leave Lisbon with a well-earned draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a gritty performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of qualifying group matches having produced only a single draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of claiming a playoff spot.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of added time when he headed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Group Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team enhanced their chances of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a two-goal victory over the Armenian side, climbing above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the advantage in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for Albania with a neat volley in first-half added time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were held to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E campaign with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The result continued the title holders’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three matches without conceding.

In spite of the absence 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 spent most of the match sitting back. Spain controlled the encounter with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a expertly taken set-piece move, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Scores

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on the group leaders in their section. The Spanish club’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their hopes of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or Israel. We know what we have to do.”

Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, on two occasions falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their primary chance after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their competitors and are three points ahead of Israel. Estonia stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

Italy face their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on the table, the Norwegians’ much better goal ratio means a playoff spot probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.