🔗 Share this article Late Goal from Rúben Neves Stuns Ireland Following Caoimhín Kelleher Stops Cristiano Ronaldo Penalty Rúben Neves saved the day for the Portuguese side with a dramatic winning goal in their World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, after the Irish goalkeeper had denied a penalty from the veteran forward. Match Overview The Wolves midfielder nodded in during added time to claim a slender victory, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to overcome a stubborn Irish side. The Irish squad appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought draw, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite restoring a significant amount of honor with a gritty display that erased some of the memories of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia. Nevertheless, the defeat puts them in a difficult position, with their initial trio of Group F matches having produced only a single point. They need to beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of securing a qualifying place. Key Incidents Kelleher seemed to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck an Irish defender’s hand. Neves came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of added time when he directed a delivery from the wing past the Irish goalkeeper. Additional Group Results Group F The Hungarian team boosted their chances of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 triumph over Armenia, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward provided Hungary the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the victory in late added time. Group K Serbia slipped to a narrow loss at home to Albania, with the result meaning England can now secure their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in late added time. Latvia struggles in their group continued as they were held to a two-all draw at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games. Spain’s Group The Spanish national team maintained their impressive qualifying group campaign with a comfortable win over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The result extended the title holders’ perfect run in the qualifiers, having notched eleven strikes in three matches without conceding. Despite the unavailability of key figures such as Lamine Yamal, another forward, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s side demonstrated their dominance against a Georgia team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain controlled the encounter with more than 80% possession, and Georgia did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili preventing a heavy defeat. Pino broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece routine, and Oyarzabal secured the victory in the second period with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had saved Ferran Torres’s spot-kick. Other Scores Turkey returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to stay close to the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the goal-getters. Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a comfortable victory away to Estonia, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and a third scorer. Gennaro Gattuso commented: “Our focus isn’t on Norway or our next opponents. We are aware of our responsibilities.” Italy missed out for the last two global tournaments, twice falling short in the qualifying rounds, and the feared playoff path now looks their primary opportunity after Norway’s comprehensive hammering over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on 18 points from six games. The Italians have twelve points with a game in hand on their competitors and are three points clear of their next opponents. Estonia stay in fourth place on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the tournament, with the runners-up going into the playoffs. Italy face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically overtake the group leaders on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal ratio means a playoff spot probably beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.