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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup qualifying match against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Overview

Neves found the net during added time to snatch a narrow win, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought draw, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

However, the loss puts them facing elimination, with their initial trio of Group F matches having produced only a single draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of securing a playoff place.

Major Moments

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck Dara O’Shea’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of added time when he directed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

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 rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in Group F. Daniel Lukacs provided Hungary the advantage in the first half and a teammate secured the victory in late stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia slipped to a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now seal their qualification from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the only goal for his team with a neat volley in first-half added time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K continued as they were held to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive Group E run with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The result continued the European champions’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three matches without conceding.

In spite of the absence of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain dominated the match with over eighty percent of the ball, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili preventing a heavy defeat.

The scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed dead-ball routine, and his compatriot secured the win in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Results

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the scorers.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the knockout stage with a 3-1 win away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso commented: “We’re not thinking about Norway or our next opponents. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now appears their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over Israel in Group I. Norway are top on 18 points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a match less played 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 runners-up going into the playoffs.

Italy host their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still theoretically catch Norway on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot probably awaits for the Italian squad.