🔗 Share this article Late Strike from Rúben Neves Stuns Ireland Following Kelleher Denies Ronaldo Penalty Rúben Neves came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo. Match Overview The Wolves midfielder headed home during stoppage time to secure a slender victory, several seasons after the star striker 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 point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a significant amount of honor with a battling display that erased some of the memories of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia. Nevertheless, the defeat puts them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of Group F games having produced only a solitary draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming a qualifying spot. Major Incidents The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s arm. Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher. Other Group Outcomes Portugal’s Group The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of qualifying by securing their first win with a two-goal victory over Armenia, climbing above their rivals into the runner-up spot behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave Hungary the lead in the first half and a teammate secured the victory in second-half added time. Group K Serbia slipped to a narrow 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. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for his team with a neat volley in late added time. Latvia struggles in their group continued as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the away side 12 minutes from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to several matches. Spain’s Group Spain maintained their dominant Group E run with a comfortable victory over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The result extended the title holders’ flawless record in qualifying, having scored 11 goals in three games without conceding. Despite the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that passed the majority of the game defending deep. Spain controlled the match with over eighty percent possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only shot-stopper their keeper preventing a rout. Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a well-executed dead-ball move, and Oyarzabal secured the victory in the second period with a spectacular free kick after Mamardashvili had denied a Spanish player’s penalty. Additional Results Turkey bounced back with a comprehensive thrashing over Bulgaria to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was among the goal-getters. The Italian squad improved their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to strikes from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito. Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about Norway 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 playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their primary opportunity after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in Group I. The Norwegians are leading on eighteen 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. The Estonian squad remain fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the playoffs. Italy host their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would secure the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically catch Norway on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal ratio means a qualifying place likely beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.