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The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for the Portuguese side with a injury-time decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

The Wolves midfielder found the net during stoppage time to secure a narrow triumph, several seasons after Ronaldo had bagged a brace at the death to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to leave Lisbon with a well-earned draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a gritty performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat puts them in a difficult position, with their first three qualifying group games having yielded only a solitary point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of securing a qualifying place.

Major Moments

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after a Portuguese player’s shot had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he directed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Qualifying Results

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team boosted their chances of advancing by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 triumph over the Armenian side, climbing above their opponents into second place behind the group leaders in Group F. Daniel Lukacs gave his team the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in late added time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now seal their passage 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 struggles in their group persisted as they were forced to a two-all tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side late on from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant Group E run with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after strikes from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The result extended the title holders’ perfect record in qualifying, having notched 11 goals in three games without conceding.

In spite of the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their dominance against a Georgian team that passed most of the match defending deep. The home side controlled the match with more than 80% of the ball, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a clear chance, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken 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.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was among the scorers.
• 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, another attacker, and a third scorer.

The Italian coach commented: “We’re not thinking about the group leaders or Israel. We know our responsibilities.”

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are top on eighteen points from six matches. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of Israel. 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 second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on points, the Norwegians’ much better goal difference means a playoff spot probably awaits for the Italian squad.