Injury-Time Header from Neves Shocks Ireland Following Kelleher Stops Cristiano Ronaldo Spot-Kick

Rúben Neves was the hero for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winner in their World Cup qualifying match against Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

The Wolves midfielder found the net during stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a gritty performance that erased some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat puts them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group matches having yielded only a single point. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a playoff place.

Major Moments

• The Liverpool keeper 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 struck Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Outcomes

Group F

Hungary enhanced their hopes of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team the advantage in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in second-half added time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now seal their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for Albania with a neat shot in first-half added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the visitors late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E run with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The result extended the title holders’ flawless run in qualifying, having scored eleven strikes in three games without conceding.

In spite of the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that passed most of the match sitting back. The home side controlled the match with more than 80% of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Additional Results

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the scorers.
• The Italian squad boosted their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

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

Italy missed out for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now appears their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are leading on 18 points from six matches. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of Israel. Estonia stay fourth 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 win would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake Norway on the table, the Norwegians’ far superior goal ratio means a qualifying place probably awaits for the Italian squad.