Ruben Neves scored a 91st-minute winner to spare Cristiano Ronaldo’s blushes as Portugal beat Eire 1-0 in World Cup qualifying.
Ronaldo missed the possibility to turn into the outright record goalscorer in World Cup qualifying when his Seventy fifth-minute penalty was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
It regarded as if Eire’s stubborn method would paid off, however Neves denied them a degree as Portugal lastly unlocked the guests’ decided defence and beat the good Kelleher.
Neves turned dwelling Francisco Trincao’s in-swinging cross to make it three wins from three for Roberto Martinez’s males, who’re on the right track to comfortably qualify for the finals. Portugal face Hungary on Tuesday and can qualify for the World Cup in the event that they prevail and Armenia fail to beat Eire.
Eire have a mountain to climb with one level from three video games.
Portugal’s irritating first half
Portugal would have taken the lead within the seventeenth minute had Ronaldo’s low drive from the sting of the realm not struck the right-hand publish.
Bernardo Silva had the possibility to fireplace into an empty internet on the follow-up, however inexplicably despatched his effort extensive.
That set the tone for a primary half of toil for the hosts, who have been then denied by the reactions of Kelleher after Bruno Fernandes’ nook was flicked on on the close to publish.
Vitinha had a shot from the sting of the realm deflected over, however in actuality Eire have been surprisingly snug for a lot of the opening interval.
Neves spares blushes for Ronaldo
Ronaldo fired narrowly extensive of the publish 9 minutes into the second half because the onslaught continued, with Kelleher producing two excellent stops to disclaim the instrumental Neves.
It regarded as if Ronaldo would have his second when the referee pointed to the spot after Dara O’Shea was deemed to have blocked a Trincao shot together with his hand.
Kelleher went right down to his proper however had the presence of thoughts to avoid wasting Ronaldo’s penalty down the center together with his legs, holding the Portugal legend on 39 World Cup qualifying objectives.
But an excellent efficiency from the Eire goalkeeper proved to be all for nought as Neves timed his run completely to fulfill Trincao’s right-wing cross, attending to the ball forward of Kelleher and heading dwelling.
It was an emotional first worldwide purpose for Neves, donning the quantity 21 as soon as worn by Diogo Jota, and it’s one which ensured that Portugal’s first dwelling sport because the former Liverpool ahead’s tragic passing resulted in victory.
