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The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for Portugal with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying encounter against the Republic of Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Overview

Neves found the net during added time to claim a 1-0 win, four years after the star striker had scored twice at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but in the end suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of pride with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat leaves them in a difficult position, with their initial trio of Group F games having produced only a solitary draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a playoff place.

Key Incidents

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck an Irish defender’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of added time when he directed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Other Group Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of qualifying by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team slipped to a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the only goal for his team with a well-taken shot in late added time.

The Latvian side struggles in their group persisted as they were held to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera scored for the visitors late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Group E

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

Despite the unavailability of key figures such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain controlled the match with over eighty percent of the ball, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria to stay close to Spain in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their hopes of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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

Italy failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now appears their primary chance after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in their qualifying group. The Norwegians are top on 18 points from six games. 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 World Cup, with the second-placed sides going into the playoffs.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake Norway on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place likely beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.