Stoppage-Time Strike from Neves Stuns Ireland After Kelleher Stops Ronaldo Penalty

Rúben Neves was the hero for Portugal with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying match against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

Neves headed home during added time to claim a 1-0 triumph, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a gritty display that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss leaves them facing elimination, with their first three qualifying group games having yielded only a solitary point. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a playoff place.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Group Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their hopes of qualifying by securing their first win with a 2-0 triumph over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. Daniel Lukacs provided his team the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the decisive strike for his team with a neat shot in first-half added time.

The Latvian side struggles in Group K persisted as they were held to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera scored for the visitors late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in Elche. The win extended the title holders’ perfect record in the qualifiers, having notched 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

In spite of the unavailability of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. Spain controlled the encounter with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed set-piece routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after Mamardashvili had denied a Spanish player’s penalty.

Other Scores

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was among the scorers.
• The Italian squad improved their hopes of at least reaching 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.

The Italian coach said: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or Israel. We know what we have to do.”

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 win over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. The Norwegians are leading on 18 points from six games. The Italians have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team face their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically overtake the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal ratio means a playoff spot likely awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.