Rúben Neves got Portugal out of jail with an injury-time World Cup qualifying winner against the Republic of Ireland after Cristiano Ronaldo had seen his penalty saved by Caoimhín Kelleher.
Neves headed home in stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 win, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice at the death to see off a stubborn Ireland.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought point but ultimately did so empty-handed, although having restored a good deal of pride with a battling display which erased some of the memories of last month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.
Defeat, however, leaves them staring down the barrel, with their first three Group F games having yielded a single point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday if they are to have any hope of claiming a playoff place.
Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s arm but Neves came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of stoppage time when he headed Trincão’s cross past Kelleher.
Serbia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania with the result meaning England can now seal their qualification for the World Cup by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for Albania in first-half stoppage time.
Spain maintained their 100% record in Group E with a routine win against Georgia in Elche. Crystal Palace midfielder Yeremy Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute and Mikel Oyarzabal doubled the hosts’ lead with a stunning free-kick.
Italy’s hopes of at least making the qualifying playoffs were given a boost with a 3-1 win away to Estonia thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Francesco Pio Esposito.
Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after Norway’s 5-0 hammering of Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are top on 18 points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of Israel. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup with the runners-up going into the playoffs.
Italy host Israel on Tuesday where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically catch Norway on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal difference means a playoff spot likely beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.
