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The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a injury-time winner in their World Cup qualifying encounter against the Republic of Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Game Overview

Neves found the net during stoppage time to secure a 1-0 triumph, four years after the star striker had scored twice at the death to overcome a stubborn Irish side.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men appeared poised to depart the Portuguese capital with a hard-fought point, but in the end suffered defeat, despite regaining a significant amount of pride with a gritty performance that erased some of the recollections of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat puts them facing elimination, with their first three Group F games having yielded only a solitary draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to keep alive any hope of securing a playoff spot.

Major Moments

• The Liverpool keeper seemed to have earned Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after a Portuguese player’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• Neves saved Portugal in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.

Other Group Results

Group F

Hungary enhanced their chances of qualifying by securing their initial victory with a 2-0 triumph over the Armenian side, moving above their opponents into the runner-up spot behind the group leaders in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team the lead in the opening period and a teammate secured the victory in late added time.

England’s Group

The Serbian national team slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to the Albanian squad, with the result meaning the Three Lions can now secure their qualification from their qualifying group by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for his team with a well-taken shot in first-half added time.

Latvia difficulties in Group K persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by Andorra. An Andorran player found the net for the visitors late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Spain’s Group

Spain continued their dominant Group E run with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after goals from a Spanish attacker and Mikel Oyarzabal in the match venue. The win extended the European champions’ flawless record in the qualifiers, having scored 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of players such as a talented winger, another forward, and Rodri due to injuries, the Spanish squad demonstrated their dominance against a Georgian team that spent the majority of the game sitting back. The home side dominated the encounter with over eighty percent of the ball, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or create a clear chance, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili preventing a rout.

Pino broke the deadlock in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the victory in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after the Georgian keeper had denied a Spanish player’s penalty.

Other Results

• Turkey returned to winning ways with a comprehensive thrashing over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler was one of the goal-getters.
• The Italian squad improved their prospects of at least reaching the qualifying playoffs with a 3-1 win away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from a forward, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

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

Italy missed out for the last two global tournaments, twice falling short in the playoffs, and the feared playoff path now appears their primary chance after the Norwegian team’s 5-0 win over Israel in their qualifying group. The Norwegians are leading on 18 points from six matches. The Italians have 12 points with a match less played on their rivals and are three points ahead of their next opponents. The Estonian squad remain fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the tournament, with the second-placed sides going into the playoffs.

Italy face their rivals on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still theoretically catch the group leaders on points, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.