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The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a dramatic winner in their World Cup qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Summary

Neves found the net during injury time to secure a 1-0 win, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace late on to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of honor with a gritty performance that erased some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

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

Key Incidents

• Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their hopes of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 victory over the Armenian side, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the advantage in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team suffered a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now seal their qualification from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for Albania with a neat shot in late stoppage time.

The Latvian side struggles in their group continued as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Spain’s Group

Spain maintained their impressive qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The result continued the title holders’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

Despite the absence of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their dominance against a Georgian team that spent the majority of the game defending deep. Spain controlled the match with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a clear chance, with only goalkeeper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball move, and his compatriot secured the win in the 64th minute with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had denied Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least making the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or Israel. We know what we have to do.”

Italy failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now appears their most likely opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 win over Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six matches. The Italians have 12 points with a game in hand on their competitors and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team host Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake Norway on points, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.