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The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a injury-time winner in their World Cup encounter against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

Neves found the net during injury time to secure a 1-0 win, several seasons after Ronaldo had scored twice at the death to overcome a resilient Irish side.

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

However, the loss puts them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group matches having yielded only a single point. They must defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a playoff place.

Major Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their hopes of qualifying by securing their first win with a two-goal triumph over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided his team the lead in the opening period and a teammate secured the points in late stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in late stoppage time.

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

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant Group E run with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The win extended the title holders’ perfect record in qualifying, having scored 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the unavailability of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. The home side dominated the match with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a rout.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball move, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Additional Scores

• Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their prospects of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach commented: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the last two global tournaments, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now looks their primary chance after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over Israel in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six matches. The Italians have 12 points with a game in hand on their competitors and are three points ahead of Israel. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

Italy face 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 ratio means a playoff spot likely awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.