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The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winner in their World Cup clash against Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder found the net during injury time to secure a narrow victory, four years after the star striker had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a battling performance that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat leaves 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.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s arm.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Additional Group Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their hopes of qualifying by picking up their initial victory with a two-goal victory over Armenia, moving above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in Group F. Daniel Lukacs provided his team the lead in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the victory in late stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now seal their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the only goal for his team with a neat volley in first-half added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera scored for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E run with a comfortable victory over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the title holders’ flawless run in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three games without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that passed most of the match defending deep. The home side controlled the match with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper averting a rout.

Pino broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a expertly taken set-piece move, and his compatriot secured the victory in the second period with a spectacular free kick after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s penalty.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on the group leaders in their section. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their prospects of at least reaching the knockout stage with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or our next opponents. We are aware of what we have to do.”

The Azzurri missed out for the previous two global tournaments, twice falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now appears their primary chance after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in their qualifying group. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of Israel. The Estonian squad remain in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the playoffs.

The Italian national team host Israel on Tuesday, where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still theoretically catch Norway on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal ratio means a qualifying place likely awaits for the Italian squad.