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The Portuguese midfielder saved the day for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp decisive strike in their World Cup match against Ireland, after Caoimhín Kelleher had denied a penalty from the veteran forward.

Game Summary

The Wolves midfielder headed home during injury time to secure a slender win, several seasons after the star striker had scored twice at the death to defeat a stubborn Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned draw, but ultimately left empty-handed, despite regaining a good deal of honor with a battling performance that erased 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 matches having yielded only a solitary point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any chance of securing a qualifying place.

Key Moments

• Kelleher seemed to have secured Ireland a draw when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldo’s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s effort had hit an Irish defender’s arm.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the first minute of stoppage time when he directed a delivery from the wing past Kelleher.

Additional Qualifying Results

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team boosted their chances of advancing by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, moving above their opponents into second place behind the group leaders in Group F. A Hungarian forward gave his team the advantage in the first half and Zsombor Gruber secured the points in second-half stoppage time.

Group K

The Serbian national team suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Albania, with the outcome meaning England can now seal their passage from Group K by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj netted the decisive strike for Albania with a well-taken volley in first-half added time.

The Latvian side difficulties in their group persisted as they were forced to a 2-2 draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera scored for the away side 12 minutes from time to earn them their initial draw of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s winless run to several matches.

Group E

Spain continued their impressive Group E campaign with a comfortable win over Georgia after goals from a Spanish attacker and his teammate in Elche. The result continued the title holders’ perfect run in qualifying, having notched 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the absence of key figures such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri due to injuries, the Spanish squad demonstrated their dominance against a Georgian team that passed most of the match defending deep. Spain controlled the encounter with over eighty percent possession, and the visitors did not have a single attempt on target or generate a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper their keeper averting a heavy defeat.

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 free kick after Mamardashvili had denied a Spanish player’s spot-kick.

Other Scores

• Turkey bounced back with a comprehensive victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on Spain in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was one of the goal-getters.
• Italy boosted their hopes of at least reaching the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory away to the Estonian team, thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Gennaro Gattuso said: “We’re not thinking about Norway or Israel. We know our responsibilities.”

Italy missed out for the previous two global tournaments, on two occasions missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded playoff path now appears their primary chance after the Norwegian team’s comprehensive win over the Israeli side in their qualifying group. Norway are leading on 18 points from six games. The Italians have twelve points with a match less played on their competitors and are a trio of points clear of their next opponents. Estonia remain in fourth place on three points. The top teams qualify directly for the tournament, with the second-placed sides entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team host Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would secure second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake Norway on points, the Norwegians’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place likely awaits for the Italian squad.