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The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for the Portuguese side with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup clash against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 victory, several seasons after the star striker had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a gritty display that erased some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group games having produced only a single point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a playoff spot.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he directed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Outcomes

Group F

Hungary enhanced their hopes of advancing by securing their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in Group F. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in late stoppage time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team suffered a narrow defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for Albania with a well-taken shot in first-half stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. An Andorran player scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team continued their impressive qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the title holders’ perfect run in qualifying, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

In spite of the unavailability of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their superiority against a Georgia team that passed most of the match defending deep. Spain dominated the match with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat.

Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a expertly taken set-piece move, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had denied Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Additional Scores

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in their section. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was one of the scorers.
• Italy improved their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso commented: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy failed to qualify for the previous two global tournaments, twice falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now appears their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are top on eighteen points from six matches. The Italians have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points ahead of Israel. Estonia stay in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the playoffs.

The Italian national team face their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically catch Norway on the table, the Norwegians’ much better goal ratio means a qualifying place probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.