🔗 Share this article Stoppage-Time Goal from Rúben Neves Shocks the Irish After Kelleher Denies Ronaldo Penalty Rúben Neves was the hero for Portugal with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward. Game Summary Neves found the net during added time to claim a narrow triumph, several seasons after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to defeat a stubborn Irish side. The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned draw, but in the end left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia. Nevertheless, the loss puts them in a difficult position, with their first three Group F matches having produced only a solitary draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a qualifying spot. Major Moments The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm. Neves came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of added time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper. Other Group Results Portugal’s Group Hungary enhanced their chances of qualifying by picking up their first win with a 2-0 triumph over Armenia, moving above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in Group F. Daniel Lukacs provided Hungary the advantage in the opening period and a teammate secured the victory in second-half stoppage time. England’s Group Serbia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning England can now seal their passage from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the only goal for his team with a well-taken volley in late stoppage time. The Latvian side difficulties in Group K continued as they were held to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to several matches. Group E The Spanish national team continued their impressive Group E run with a comfortable victory over Georgia after strikes from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in the match venue. The win extended the European champions’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three matches without conceding. Despite the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that spent the majority of the game sitting back. Spain controlled the encounter with over eighty percent possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a rout. Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the second period with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s penalty. Additional Results Turkey bounced back with a comprehensive victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in their section. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters. Italy boosted their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable win away to Estonia, thanks to goals 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 what we have to do.” The Azzurri failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, on two occasions missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive win over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the tournament, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage. Italy host Israel on Tuesday, where a win would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically overtake Norway on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal ratio means a qualifying place likely awaits for the Italian squad.