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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winner in their World Cup encounter against the Republic of Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a penalty from the veteran forward.

Match Overview

The Wolves midfielder found the net during stoppage time to secure a slender triumph, four years after the star striker had scored twice at the death to defeat a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a gritty display that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

However, the loss leaves them staring down the barrel, with their initial trio of Group F games having produced only a solitary draw. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of claiming a playoff place.

Major Incidents

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have secured Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s hand.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of added time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Additional Qualifying Outcomes

Group F

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 Portugal in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave his team the advantage in the opening period and a teammate made sure of the points in second-half stoppage time.

England’s Group

Serbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker scored the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in late added time.

Latvia difficulties in their group continued as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side late on from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Group E

The Spanish national team maintained their impressive Group E run with a 2-0 win over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The win continued the European champions’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having scored eleven strikes in three games without conceding.

In spite of the absence of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their superiority against a Georgian team that passed most of the match sitting back. Spain controlled the encounter with more than 80% of the ball, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper preventing a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece move, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the 64th minute with a spectacular set-piece after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s penalty.

Additional Scores

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over Bulgaria to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s Arda Güler was one of the scorers.
• Italy improved their hopes of at least making 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.

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

The Azzurri missed out for the previous two World Cups, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 win over the Israeli side in Group I. Norway are top on 18 points from six matches. The Italians have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points clear of Israel. Estonia stay in fourth place on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage.

Italy host their rivals on Tuesday, where a win would cement the runner-up position and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on points, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place probably beckons for the Italian squad.