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The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for Portugal with a last-gasp winner in their World Cup clash against the Republic of Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

Neves nodded in during added time to claim a slender victory, four years after Ronaldo had bagged a brace at the death to defeat a resilient Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite restoring a significant amount of honor with a battling display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat leaves them staring down the barrel, with their first three Group F games having produced only a solitary point. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a playoff spot.

Key Moments

• Kelleher looked to have secured Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the first minute of stoppage time when he headed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Results

Group F

Hungary boosted their hopes of advancing by picking up their first win with a two-goal victory over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team the lead in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the victory in second-half added time.

Group K

Serbia slipped to a narrow defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now seal their passage from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the only goal for his team with a well-taken volley in first-half stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. An Andorran player scored for the away side late on from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Spain’s Group

Spain continued their impressive qualifying group run with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The win continued the title holders’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the unavailability of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that spent the majority of the game sitting back. Spain dominated the encounter with over eighty percent possession, and the visitors 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 first half from a well-executed set-piece routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the second period with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or Israel. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, on two occasions falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the dreaded playoff path now appears their primary opportunity after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia stay in fourth place on three points. The top teams 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 second spot and, while they can still mathematically catch the group leaders on the table, the Norwegians’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.