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The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a injury-time winning goal in their World Cup qualifying encounter against the Republic of Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had saved a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

Neves nodded in during injury time to secure a 1-0 victory, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a resilient Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a battling performance that erased some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss puts them facing elimination, with their initial trio of Group F matches having yielded only a single draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a playoff place.

Key Moments

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have secured 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.
• Neves came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team boosted their chances of advancing by picking up their first win with a 2-0 triumph over Armenia, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the lead in the first half and a teammate made sure of the points in late stoppage 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 secure their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for Albania with a well-taken volley in late stoppage time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team maintained their dominant Group E campaign with a 2-0 win over Georgia after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The win extended the title holders’ perfect record in qualifying, having notched 11 goals in three matches without conceding.

In spite of 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 most of the match sitting back. Spain controlled the encounter with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have a single attempt on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper averting a rout.

The scorer opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a well-executed dead-ball routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the second period with a stunning set-piece after Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their prospects of at least making the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso commented: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or our next opponents. We know what we have to do.”

Italy failed to qualify for the previous two global tournaments, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now looks their most likely opportunity after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are top on 18 points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The top teams advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage.

Italy face their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ much better goal difference means a qualifying place probably beckons for the Italian squad.