🔗 Share this article

The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic winning goal in their World Cup qualifying clash against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

Neves found the net during stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 victory, four years after Ronaldo had bagged a brace late on to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but in the end left empty-handed, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

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

Key Moments

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Outcomes

Group F

Hungary boosted their chances of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 triumph over the Armenian side, climbing above their rivals into second place behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team the advantage in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the points in late added time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team slipped to a narrow defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now seal their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for his team with a neat volley in late stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K persisted as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team continued their impressive qualifying group run with a 2-0 win over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The win continued the title holders’ perfect record in qualifying, having scored 11 goals in three games without conceding.

In spite of the unavailability of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgia team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain controlled the match with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or create a clear chance, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a expertly taken set-piece move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the 64th minute with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s penalty.

Additional Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad boosted their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

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

Italy missed out for the previous two World Cups, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive win over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. The Norwegians are leading on 18 points from six games. The Italians have 12 points with a match less played on their competitors and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. Estonia remain in fourth place on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides going into the playoffs.

The Italian national team host their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place probably awaits for the Italian squad.