Portugal maintained their winning record in qualifying despite Cristiano Ronaldo missing a second-half penalty against Ireland.
Published October 11, 2025
Portugal’s Ruben Neves scored in stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory over Ireland, as Portugal maintained their 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying Group F and consolidated their place at the top of the table.
Portugal had climbed to nine points midway through the season, five points ahead of second-placed Hungary, who they play at home on Tuesday, and could have qualified.
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On Saturday, Neves scored his first international goal, heading home in the first minute of stoppage time at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
It was a touching tribute to his close friend Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July and whose number 21 shirt Neves wore at Portugal’s first home game since the Liverpool player’s death.
Cristiano Ronaldo saved a penalty early in the game as Ireland threatened to force the home side into a draw, but a late goal kept Ireland at the bottom of the table with just one point.
