Portugal left it late however stored their flawless World Cup qualifying run intact after Rúben Neves struck deep into stoppage time to seal a dramatic 1-0 win over a troublesome Republic of Eire aspect in Lisbon, a consequence that leaves the guests’ hopes of reaching their first World Cup since 2002 hanging by a thread, Softfootball reviews.
Recent off a thrilling 3-2 win over Hungary within the final worldwide break, Portugal got here into this conflict brimming with confidence. However Roberto Martínez’s males shortly found this could be something however simple. Eire arrange with braveness and self-discipline, throwing our bodies on the road and irritating the hosts from the beginning. Cristiano Ronaldo got here closest early on, crashing a fierce effort off the put up, earlier than Bernardo Silva in some way fired the rebound huge.
Eire weren’t simply passengers both. Jayson Molumby’s strike halfway via the primary half reminded Portugal they couldn’t change off, although it was nonetheless the house aspect doing many of the urgent. Kelleher needed to be sharp to tip Vitinha’s deflected strike onto the roof of the online, after which pulled off an outstanding double save to disclaim Gonçalo Inácio and Bruno Fernandes earlier than half-time. Someway, the Irish went into the break stage and deservedly so for his or her sensible efficiency.
The second half adopted the identical script, Portugal on the entrance foot, Eire holding on for expensive life. Ronaldo flashed two efforts huge in fast succession, whereas Neves pressured Kelleher into one other superb cease with a curling shot from distance.
With quarter-hour left, it appeared Portugal would lastly break via when Dara O’Shea was harshly judged to have dealt with contained in the field. However Kelleher, having the evening of his life, guessed proper to disclaim Ronaldo’s penalty along with his foot ,a save that briefly silenced the Estádio da Luz.
Simply when it appeared like Eire’s heroic stand would earn them a well-known level, heartbreak struck. Deep into added time, substitute Francisco Trincão swung in a sensible cross, and Rúben Neves met it completely, his header going into the underside nook for his first-ever world cup qualifying aim.
After the sport Portugal through its official X deal with posted the video celebration of the match winner Ruben Neves, which was devoted to his greatest pal, the late Diogo jota who died in a automobile accident earlier this 12 months, watch the video beneath:
The roar that adopted the total time whistle stated all of it. For Portugal, it was aid and celebration from having six wins from six and rising perception below Martínez. For Eire, it was pure devastation after giving every part, solely to be undone simply earlier than the ultimate whistle.
