🔗 Share this article Injury-Time Strike from Rúben Neves Shocks the Irish After Caoimhín Kelleher Saves Cristiano Ronaldo Spot-Kick Rúben Neves saved the day for Portugal with a last-gasp winner in their World Cup qualifying encounter against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo. Match Summary The Wolves midfielder nodded in during added time to claim a narrow triumph, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace late on to overcome a resilient Irish side. The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a battling display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia. However, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their first three qualifying group games having yielded only a single draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a qualifying place. Key Moments Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit 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 Outcomes Group F Hungary boosted their chances of qualifying by securing their first win with a 2-0 victory over the Armenian side, moving above their rivals into second place behind Portugal in Group F. Daniel Lukacs gave Hungary the advantage in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the victory in late stoppage time. Group K Serbia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now seal their passage from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the decisive strike for his team with a neat shot in late added time. Latvia struggles in Group K continued as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the visitors 12 minutes from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games. Spain’s Group Spain continued their dominant qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 win over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The win extended the title holders’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without conceding. In spite of the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their dominance against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. Spain controlled the encounter with over eighty percent of the ball, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a heavy defeat. Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed dead-ball routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s penalty. Additional Scores Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters. Italy boosted their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito. Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about Norway or Israel. We know what we have to do.” Italy failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now appears their primary chance after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six games. The Italians have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are a trio of points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the playoffs. Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on points, the Norwegians’ much better goal ratio means a qualifying place probably awaits for the Italian squad.