World Cup qualifying roundup: Neves stuns Republic of Eire with late objective | World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Rúben Neves received Portugal out of jail with an injury-time World Cup qualifying winner towards the Republic of Eire after Cristiano Ronaldo had seen his penalty saved by Caoimhín Kelleher.

Neves headed residence in stoppage time to grab a 1-0 win, 4 years after Ronaldo had scored twice on the demise to see off a cussed Eire.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s males appeared set to go away Lisbon with a hard-fought level however in the end did so empty-handed, though having restored a great deal of delight with a battling show which erased a few of the recollections of final month’s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

Defeat, nevertheless, leaves them staring down the barrel, with their first three Group F video games having yielded a single level. They need to beat Armeniain Dublin on Tuesday if they’re to have any hope of claiming a playoff place.

Kelleher appeared to have earned Eire some extent when he brilliantly saved out Ronaldo’s penalty along with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincão’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s arm however Neves got here to his facet’s rescue within the first minute of stoppage time when he headed Trincão’s cross previous Kelleher.

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at residence to Albania with the end result that means England can now seal their qualification for the World Cup by beating Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the one objective for Albania in first-half stoppage time.

Spain maintained their 100% file in Group E with a routine win towards Georgia in Elche. Crystal Palace midfielder Yeremy Pino opened the scoring within the twenty fourth minute and Mikel Oyarzabal doubled the hosts’ lead with a surprising free-kick.

Italy’s hopes of not less than making the qualifying playoffs got a lift with a 3-1 win away to Estonia because of objectives from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Italy did not qualify for the final two World Cups, twice lacking out within the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now appears their most probably likelihood after Norway’s 5-0 hammering of Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are prime on 18 factors from six video games. Italy have 12 factors with a recreation in hand on their rivals and are three factors away from Israel. Estonia stay fourth on three factors. The group winners qualify straight for the World Cup with the runners-up going into the playoffs.

Italy host Israel on Tuesday the place a win would cement second spot and, whereas they’ll nonetheless mathematically catch Norway on factors, the Norwegians’ far superior objective distinction means a playoff spot doubtless beckons for Gennaro Gattuso’s facet.