🔗 Share this article Injury-Time Goal from Neves Shocks the Irish After Caoimhín Kelleher Saves Ronaldo Penalty Rúben Neves was the hero for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winner in their World Cup qualifying match against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had denied a penalty from the veteran forward. Match Summary Neves headed home during injury time to secure a 1-0 victory, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice at the death to defeat a stubborn Ireland team. The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a battling display that erased some of the memories of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia. Nevertheless, the loss puts them staring down the barrel, with their first three qualifying group games having produced only a single point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a playoff place. Major Moments The Liverpool keeper seemed to have secured Ireland a point when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s shot had hit an Irish defender’s hand. Neves saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he headed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper. Additional Group Results Group F Hungary boosted their hopes of qualifying by securing their first win with a 2-0 victory over the Armenian side, climbing above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward provided his team the advantage in the first half and a teammate made sure of the victory in late added time. England’s Group Serbia slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now seal their passage from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in first-half added time. The Latvian side difficulties in Group K persisted as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s poor form to five games. Group E Spain continued their dominant Group E run with a comfortable victory over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The win continued the title holders’ flawless run in qualifying, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without letting in a goal. Despite the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. The home side dominated the encounter with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a heavy defeat. The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece move, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s spot-kick. Additional Results Turkey returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was one of the scorers. The Italian squad boosted their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer. The Italian coach commented: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or our next opponents. We are aware of what we have to do.” Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after Norway’s 5-0 hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are top on eighteen points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. Estonia remain in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides going into the playoffs. Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on the table, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a playoff spot probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.