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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for Portugal with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup match against Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

Neves found the net during stoppage time to claim a 1-0 triumph, four years after the star striker had bagged a brace at the death to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of pride with a battling display that erased some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of qualifying group matches having produced only a solitary point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of securing a qualifying spot.

Key Moments

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have secured Ireland a draw when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he headed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Group Results

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team enhanced their hopes of advancing by picking up their first win with a two-goal victory over Armenia, climbing above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in Group F. Daniel Lukacs gave Hungary the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in late added time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team slipped to a narrow defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning England can now secure their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for his team with a well-taken shot in late added time.

Latvia difficulties in their group continued as they were forced to a two-all tie at home by the Andorran team. An Andorran player scored for the away side late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s winless run to five games.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive qualifying group run with a comfortable win over Georgia after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the title holders’ perfect record in the qualifiers, having notched 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 the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that spent the majority of the game sitting back. The home side dominated the encounter 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 rout.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a well-executed set-piece move, and his compatriot secured the victory in the 64th minute with a stunning set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach commented: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or Israel. We know our responsibilities.”

The Azzurri missed out for the last two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the playoffs, and the feared backdoor route now appears their primary chance after Norway’s 5-0 win over Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are top on eighteen points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their competitors and are a trio of points clear of Israel. Estonia stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on points, the leaders’ far superior goal ratio means a playoff spot likely awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.