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The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for Portugal with a dramatic winner in their World Cup qualifying encounter against the Republic of Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

Neves nodded in during stoppage time to snatch a slender win, several seasons after the star striker had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but in the end left empty-handed, despite restoring a significant amount of honor with a battling 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 need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a playoff spot.

Major Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit an Irish defender’s hand.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their chances of advancing by picking up their first win with a two-goal victory over the Armenian side, climbing above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave his team the lead in the first half and a teammate secured the points in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a narrow loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in first-half stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K 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 first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Spain’s Group

Spain continued their dominant Group E run with a comfortable win over Georgia after goals from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The win continued the title holders’ flawless record in qualifying, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. Spain controlled the match with over eighty percent of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a rout.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the second period with a spectacular free kick after Mamardashvili had denied Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a 6-1 victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, 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, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the dreaded backdoor route now appears their most likely chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over the Israeli side in Group I. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are three points clear of Israel. Estonia stay in fourth place on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the tournament, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

Italy host their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically overtake the group leaders on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal ratio means a qualifying place probably beckons for the Italian squad.