🔗 Share this article

The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for Portugal with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup match against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Overview

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 triumph, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a resilient Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a significant amount of pride with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of qualifying group games having yielded only a solitary draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a qualifying place.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of added time when he directed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Additional Qualifying Outcomes

Group F

Hungary enhanced their chances of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a two-goal triumph over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the lead in the first half and a teammate made sure of the victory in late added time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a narrow defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in first-half stoppage time.

The Latvian side struggles in Group K continued as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Spain’s Group

Spain continued their dominant qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the title holders’ flawless run in qualifying, having notched eleven strikes in three games without letting in a goal.

In spite of the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that spent most of the match sitting back. The home side dominated the match with over eighty percent possession, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a rout.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s penalty.

Additional Results

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least reaching the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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

The Azzurri missed out for the previous two global tournaments, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. The Norwegians are leading on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically catch Norway on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal ratio means a playoff spot likely awaits for the Italian squad.