🔗 Share this article Injury-Time Header from Rúben Neves Stuns Ireland After Kelleher Denies Ronaldo Spot-Kick The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a dramatic winner in their World Cup qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo. Game Overview Neves nodded in during stoppage time to snatch a narrow triumph, several seasons after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Irish side. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, 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. Nevertheless, the loss puts them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of Group F games having yielded only a single point. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of claiming a qualifying place. Major Incidents Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand. The match-winner saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper. Additional Qualifying Outcomes Group F Hungary enhanced their chances of advancing by picking up their first win with a two-goal triumph over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into second place behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided his team the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in late stoppage time. England’s Group Serbia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now seal their qualification from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for his team with a neat volley in late added time. The Latvian side difficulties in Group K persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s winless run to several matches. Group E Spain maintained their dominant Group E campaign with a comfortable win over Georgia after strikes from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The win extended the title holders’ perfect record in qualifying, having scored 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal. In spite of the absence of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. The home side dominated the match with over eighty percent of the ball, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat. The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the win in the second period with a spectacular free kick after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty. Additional Results Turkey bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the scorers. Italy improved their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito. The Italian coach commented: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.” The Azzurri missed out for the last two global tournaments, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now appears their most likely opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 hammering over Israel in their qualifying group. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their competitors and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage. Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake the group leaders on the table, the Norwegians’ far superior goal ratio means a qualifying place probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.