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The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for Portugal with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup match against Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder found the net during added time to claim a narrow victory, four years after the star striker had scored twice at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a good deal of pride with a battling display that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s embarrassing loss in Armenia.

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

Major Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s shot had struck an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the first minute of stoppage time when he directed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

Hungary boosted their hopes of qualifying by picking up their first win with a two-goal victory over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided his team the advantage in the opening period and a teammate secured the victory in second-half added time.

Group K

The Serbian national team slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from Group K by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for his team with a well-taken volley in late added time.

Latvia difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Spain’s Group

The Spanish national team continued their impressive qualifying group campaign with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The win extended the European champions’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three games without conceding.

In spite of the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and Rodri due to injuries, the Spanish squad demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain dominated the encounter with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili preventing a rout.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a well-executed set-piece routine, and Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory in the second period with a spectacular free kick after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Additional Scores

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on the group leaders in their section. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad boosted their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 victory away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or Israel. We are aware of our responsibilities.”

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now looks their most likely opportunity after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on 18 points from six games. The Italians have 12 points with a game in hand on their competitors and are three points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the runners-up entering the qualifying stage.

The Italian national team face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on points, the Norwegians’ much better goal difference means a playoff spot probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.