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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for the Portuguese side with a injury-time winner in their World Cup qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had saved a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder headed home during added time to snatch a slender triumph, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace late on to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

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 battling display that erased some of the memories of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat puts them facing elimination, with their first three qualifying group matches having yielded only a solitary point. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a playoff spot.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher looked to have secured Ireland a draw when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s shot had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of added time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Results

Group F

Hungary enhanced their hopes of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a two-goal victory over the Armenian side, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward provided his team the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in second-half added time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now seal their qualification from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the decisive strike for his team with a well-taken volley in first-half stoppage time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group persisted as they were held to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant Group E campaign with a comfortable win over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The win continued the title holders’ flawless record in qualifying, having notched eleven strikes in three games without conceding.

Despite the unavailability of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated 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 the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory in the second period with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the scorers.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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

Italy missed out for the previous two global tournaments, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the feared backdoor route now looks their primary chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over Israel in their qualifying group. Norway are top on 18 points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their rivals and are a trio of 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 going into the playoffs.

The Italian national team face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place likely beckons for the Italian squad.