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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic winner in their World Cup qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during stoppage time to secure a 1-0 triumph, four years after Ronaldo had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

The Irish squad looked set to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of honor with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their first three qualifying group games having yielded only a solitary draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a playoff spot.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a draw when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Qualifying Results

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of advancing by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 triumph over the Armenian side, moving above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team suffered a narrow defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the only goal for Albania with a well-taken shot in late added time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K continued as they were held to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive Group E run with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The result extended the title holders’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having notched 11 goals in three games without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that passed most of the match sitting back. Spain dominated the match with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the victory in the 64th minute with a spectacular free kick after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad boosted their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso commented: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or our next opponents. We know what we have to do.”

The Azzurri missed out for the previous two global tournaments, twice missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 win over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are top on eighteen points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team 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’ much better goal difference means a playoff spot likely beckons for the Italian squad.