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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic winner in their World Cup qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Game Overview

Neves nodded in during added time to secure a slender victory, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Irish side.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but in the end suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of honor with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss leaves them facing elimination, with their initial trio of Group F games having yielded only a solitary draw. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of claiming a qualifying place.

Key Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of added time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Results

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their hopes of qualifying by securing their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in late stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now seal their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for his team with a neat volley in late added time.

Latvia struggles in Group K continued as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

Spain continued their impressive qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The win extended the title holders’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having notched 11 goals in three matches without conceding.

In spite of the unavailability of players such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and Rodri due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that passed most of the match defending deep. The home side controlled the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece move, and his compatriot secured the victory in the 64th minute with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved a Spanish player’s penalty.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was one of the scorers.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, another attacker, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso commented: “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 previous two global tournaments, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are three 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 runners-up entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team host their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on points, the Norwegians’ much better goal ratio means a playoff spot probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.