🔗 Share this article

The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for Portugal with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying clash against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 triumph, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace late on to defeat a resilient Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a significant amount of pride with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

However, the loss puts them facing elimination, with their initial trio of Group F matches having produced only a single point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a playoff place.

Key Incidents

• Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Additional Group Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their chances of advancing by securing their initial victory with a two-goal triumph over the Armenian side, moving above their rivals into second place behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the advantage in the opening period and a teammate secured the points in late stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for Albania with a well-taken volley in first-half stoppage time.

The Latvian side struggles in Group K persisted as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the away side late on from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Group E

Spain continued their dominant qualifying group campaign with a comfortable win over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The result extended the title holders’ perfect run in qualifying, having scored 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

In spite of the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgian team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. Spain controlled the match with over eighty percent of the ball, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to Spain in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from a forward, another attacker, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach said: “We’re not thinking about Norway or Israel. We are aware of our responsibilities.”

The Azzurri missed out for the last two World Cups, on two occasions falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now appears their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six games. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points clear of their next opponents. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the qualifying stage.

Italy face their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on points, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a playoff spot likely beckons for the Italian squad.