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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic winner in their World Cup qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

Neves nodded in during injury time to secure a narrow triumph, 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 hard-fought draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a gritty performance that erased some of the memories of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss leaves them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of qualifying group matches having yielded only a single draw. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of securing a playoff place.

Key Incidents

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a draw when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck an Irish defender’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal in the first minute of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Group Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their chances of advancing by securing their first win with a 2-0 triumph 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 victory in late stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their passage from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in first-half added time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera scored for the visitors 12 minutes from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Spain’s Group

Spain maintained their dominant Group E run with a comfortable victory over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The win continued the title holders’ flawless record in qualifying, having notched 11 goals in three games without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that spent 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 their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the second period with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other 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 a young talent was one of the scorers.
• Italy boosted their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso commented: “We’re not thinking about Norway or Israel. We are aware of our responsibilities.”

Italy failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, on two occasions falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now appears their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six matches. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay fourth on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the tournament, with the runners-up going into the playoffs.

The Italian national team host their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically catch the group leaders on points, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place probably awaits for the Italian squad.