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The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for the Portuguese side with a dramatic decisive strike in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, following Caoimhín Kelleher had saved a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Overview

Neves nodded in during stoppage time to claim a 1-0 victory, several seasons after the star striker had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Ireland team.

The Irish squad appeared poised to leave Lisbon with a well-earned draw, but in the end left empty-handed, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a gritty performance that overshadowed some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

Nevertheless, the loss leaves them facing elimination, with their first three qualifying group games having yielded only a solitary point. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of securing a playoff place.

Major Incidents

• Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had struck an Irish defender’s hand.
• The match-winner saved Portugal in the first minute of stoppage time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Group Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

Hungary enhanced their hopes of advancing by securing their first win with a 2-0 triumph over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now secure their passage from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the only goal for his team with a neat shot in late stoppage time.

The Latvian side struggles in their group continued as they were forced to a 2-2 tie at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side 12 minutes from time to claim them their initial draw of the qualifying campaign and extend Latvia’s poor form to several matches.

Spain’s Group

Spain maintained their impressive qualifying group run with a comfortable victory over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The result continued the European champions’ perfect record in qualifying, having scored eleven strikes in three games without conceding.

In spite of the absence of key figures such as a talented winger, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to fitness issues, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgian team that spent most of the match defending deep. The home side controlled the encounter with more than 80% possession, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a clear chance, with only shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili preventing a rout.

The scorer opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken set-piece move, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the second period with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied Ferran Torres’s penalty.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to Spain in Group E. The Spanish club’s a young talent was among the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad boosted their hopes of at least making the knockout stage with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and a third scorer.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or Israel. We are aware of what we have to do.”

Italy missed out for the previous two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now appears their most likely opportunity after Norway’s comprehensive win over the Israeli side in Group I. The Norwegians are top on 18 points from six games. Italy have 12 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 advance automatically for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the qualifying stage.

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