Goals: 90+1. Rúben Neves
After a dramatic course, Portugal scored the sixth competition victory in a row when Ireland defeated Ireland 1: 0 in its third match in qualifying for the World Championship 2026. The main stars of the home long have encountered the excellent goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, who, among other things, destroyed the penalty of Cristian Ronald. The decision eventually brought the decision only in the second half of Ruben Neves. After a brave performance, Ireland left Lisbon without a point and as the only team from the F qualification group is still waiting for the first victory.
The opening half -life was fully directed by Portugal. In the 17th minute, Ronaldo stamped the rod from the 16th border and the arriving Bernardo Silva missed the empty gate. Eight minutes later, the guests were launched for the first time – the shot of Jayson Molumba from a distance ended up above, but the Irish showed that they were not just defending themselves. The home team then regained the superiority, but Pedro Neto missed the goal in the biggest chance of the match.
The end of the first half brought several crisis moments for Irish goalkeeper Kelleler. After a dotted shot Vitinhy fingers pushed the ball just above the crossbar. Shortly thereafter, Goncal Inacia and Bruno Fernandes’ attempt were destroyed. In the settings, Nathan Collins then stopped Bernard Silva’s shot with a dedicated block and provided guests the first half -time net account in this qualifying phase.
The break at the pace of Portugal did not change anything. The winners of the League of Nations continued their dominance. From the opening minutes of the second half, Ireland pushed deep to their own half. Ronaldo fired twice, when after a combination with Fernandes hit the network from outside Ao a few minutes later from a similar position headed above. After an hour of play, the space for Neveves, who tried the technical shot to the pole from the penalty area. Kelleher, however, showed another excellent procedure and kept his team in the game.
The home team increased pressure. Nerson Semedo sent a steep center in front of the goal 20 minutes before the end, Ronaldo was the first at the ball, but missed again. In the 75th minute Dara O’Shea blocked his opponent’s shot in a penalty area, and although repeated shots indicated that it was a chest intervention, referee Ivan Kružliak ordered a penalty kick. Ronaldo built the ball, but Kelleher was casting again. The Irish goalkeeper captured the direction and fantastically shot the shot.
At the end of the match, the coach of coach Robert Martínez plunged all his strength into the attack and the pressure eventually brought fruit. At the set time, he found an ideal position in the 16th and finally broke the Irish defense with the exact head of Francisco Trincao. Captain Wolverhampton thus celebrated his first goal in the national team and at the same time decided on the sixth victory of Portugal in a row. Ireland, on the other hand, left disappointed – despite the heroic performance, it remained with a single point at the bottom of the group and has been waiting for Portugal for two decades.
