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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during injury time to secure a 1-0 triumph, four years after the star striker had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

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

However, the loss leaves them in a difficult position, with their initial trio of Group F games having produced only a solitary draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of securing a playoff spot.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Additional Group Results

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their chances of advancing by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over the Armenian side, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. Daniel Lukacs gave his team the advantage in the first half and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the points in second-half added time.

England’s Group

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now seal their qualification from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for Albania with a neat volley in first-half stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

Spain maintained their impressive Group E run with a 2-0 win over Georgia after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in Elche. The result extended the European champions’ perfect run in qualifying, having scored 11 goals in three games without letting in a goal.

In spite of the unavailability of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgia team that spent most of the match sitting back. Spain dominated the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a comprehensive victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the previous two global tournaments, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the feared backdoor route now looks their primary chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over Israel in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically 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 secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place probably awaits for the Italian squad.