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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

Neves found the net during stoppage time to secure a narrow win, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but in the end left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of honor with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group games having produced only a single draw. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a playoff spot.

Key Moments

• Kelleher looked to have secured Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’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 enhanced their hopes of advancing by picking up their first win with a two-goal triumph over the Armenian side, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided his team the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the points in second-half added time.

Group K

The Serbian national team slipped to a narrow defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now secure their passage from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for his team with a well-taken volley in late added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in Group K continued as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Group E

Spain continued their impressive qualifying group run with a comfortable win over Georgia after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in Elche. The win continued the European champions’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

Despite the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that spent the majority of the game defending deep. The home side dominated the encounter with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece routine, and his compatriot secured the victory in the second period with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team bounced back 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 boosted their hopes of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or our next opponents. We are aware of our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the previous two World Cups, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the feared backdoor route now looks their most likely opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 hammering over Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are leading on eighteen points from six matches. The Italians have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points ahead of Israel. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

Italy host their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place likely awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.