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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup encounter against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had saved a spot-kick from the veteran forward.

Match Summary

The Wolves midfielder nodded in during injury time to claim a narrow win, four years after Ronaldo had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

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 honor with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of Group F matches having produced only a solitary draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of claiming a qualifying spot.

Key Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he directed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Additional Group Results

Portugal’s Group

Hungary enhanced their chances of qualifying by picking up their initial victory with a two-goal triumph over the Armenian side, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. Daniel Lukacs gave his team the lead in the first half and a teammate secured the victory in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now seal their passage from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the only goal for his team with a well-taken shot in first-half stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in their group continued as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the visitors late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E run with a comfortable win over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The result continued the title holders’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

Despite the absence of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgia team that spent most of the match sitting back. The home side dominated the encounter with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a expertly taken set-piece move, and his compatriot secured the win in the 64th minute with a spectacular set-piece after Mamardashvili had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over the Bulgarian side to stay close to Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• Italy 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 a third scorer.

The Italian coach said: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or Israel. We know what we have to do.”

Italy missed out for the last two World Cups, on two occasions falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now looks their primary chance after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are leading on 18 points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. Estonia stay fourth on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal ratio means a playoff spot probably beckons for the Italian squad.