Late Header from Rúben Neves Sinks Ireland After Caoimhín Kelleher Denies Ronaldo Spot-Kick

Rúben Neves saved the day for Portugal with a injury-time winning goal in their World Cup qualifying match against Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder headed home during stoppage time to snatch a narrow win, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace at the death 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 honor with a gritty performance that erased some of the memories of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

However, the defeat leaves them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group matches having produced only a single draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of securing a qualifying spot.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have secured Ireland a draw when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit an Irish defender’s hand.
• 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

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their chances of qualifying by securing their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, moving above their opponents into second place behind the group leaders in Group F. A Hungarian forward provided his team the advantage in the first half and a teammate made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia slipped to a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken shot in late stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were held to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the visitors 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The result extended the title holders’ perfect run in qualifying, having scored eleven strikes in three games without conceding.

Despite the unavailability of players such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that passed most of the match defending deep. Spain controlled the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper averting a rout.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed set-piece move, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Additional Results

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their prospects of at least reaching the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about Norway or Israel. We are aware of what we have to do.”

The Azzurri missed out for the last two World Cups, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the dreaded playoff path now appears their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are leading on 18 points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain fourth on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the tournament, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake Norway on the table, the leaders’ much better goal ratio means a playoff spot likely awaits for the Italian squad.