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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for the Portuguese side with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying encounter against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

Neves nodded in during added time to claim a 1-0 win, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace late on to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned point, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a significant amount of honor with a battling display that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s disappointing defeat in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the defeat leaves them in a difficult position, with their first three Group F matches having yielded only a solitary draw. They need to defeat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any chance of claiming a qualifying spot.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a point when he superbly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit Dara O’Shea’s hand.
• Neves saved Portugal in the first minute of added time when he headed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper.

Additional Group Outcomes

Group F

The Hungarian team enhanced their chances of advancing by securing their first win with a 2-0 triumph over the Armenian side, moving above their opponents into second place behind the group leaders in the standings. Daniel Lukacs provided Hungary the lead in the first half and a teammate secured the points in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia suffered a narrow defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning the Three Lions can now seal their qualification from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the decisive strike for Albania with a neat shot in late stoppage time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and extend Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Spain’s Group

Spain maintained their dominant qualifying group campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after goals from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in the match venue. The result extended the European champions’ perfect record in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three games without conceding.

Despite the absence of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, 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 controlled the match with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a clear chance, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili preventing a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a expertly taken dead-ball move, and his compatriot secured the victory in the second period with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s spot-kick.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria to stay close to the group leaders in their section. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the scorers.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least making the knockout stage with a comfortable victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from a forward, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach commented: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or our next opponents. We are aware of what we have to do.”

The Azzurri missed out for the previous two World Cups, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the feared backdoor route now looks their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 win over Israel in their qualifying group. Norway are top on 18 points from six games. The Italians have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are a trio of points clear of Israel. The Estonian squad stay in fourth place on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the World Cup, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on the table, the Norwegians’ much better goal ratio means a qualifying place probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.