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The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for Portugal with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Summary

Neves headed home during stoppage time to secure a slender win, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought draw, but in the end left empty-handed, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a gritty display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat leaves them facing elimination, with their initial trio of qualifying group matches having produced only a single draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of securing a playoff spot.

Key Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Additional Qualifying Results

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their chances of advancing by securing their first win with a two-goal triumph over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into second place behind the group leaders in Group F. Daniel Lukacs 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 narrow loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now seal their qualification from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the decisive strike for his team with a neat shot in first-half added time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. An Andorran player scored for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team continued their dominant Group E run with a comfortable win over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the title holders’ flawless run in the qualifiers, having notched 11 goals in three games without conceding.

Despite the unavailability of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their dominance against a Georgia team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain controlled the match with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a rout.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the first half from a well-executed set-piece routine, and his compatriot secured the win in the 64th minute with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had denied a Spanish player’s penalty.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in their section. The Spanish club’s a young talent was one of the scorers.
• Italy improved their prospects of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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

Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. The Norwegians are top on 18 points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their competitors and are three points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain fourth on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team host their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal ratio means a playoff spot probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.