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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic winner in their World Cup clash against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Summary

Neves headed home during added time to claim a 1-0 triumph, four years after Ronaldo had bagged a brace late on to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

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

Nevertheless, the loss leaves them in a difficult position, with their initial trio of Group F matches having yielded only a single draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a playoff place.

Key Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s hand.
• Neves saved Portugal in the first minute of stoppage time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Group Results

Group F

The Hungarian team boosted their chances of qualifying by picking up their initial victory with a two-goal victory over the Armenian side, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the decisive strike for his team with a well-taken volley in late added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera scored 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.

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The result continued the title holders’ flawless record in qualifying, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

In spite of the absence of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain dominated the encounter with over eighty percent of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or generate a clear chance, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed set-piece move, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the second period with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their prospects of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to the Estonian team, 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 are aware of what we have to do.”

The Azzurri missed out for the last two global tournaments, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now appears their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive win over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six matches. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are a trio of points ahead of Israel. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on the table, the Norwegians’ much better goal ratio means a playoff spot probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.