Portugal vs Ireland 1-0: UEFA World Cup qualifier – as it happened

The live coverage of Portugal vs Ireland in the European qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup has ended.

Thank you for tuning in, and do join us on Tuesday for the next round of fixtures.

Until then, it’s goodbye from me, Manasi Pathak, on behalf of Al Jazeera Sport.

Our focus on Sunday turns to the Women’s Cricket World Cup being staged in India.

The hosts will hope for a quick return to their winning ways when they meet defending champions Australia in a blockbuster clash.

Both teams began the tournament as favourites, but Australia hold a definite edge in the match as the record seven-time world champions and the only undefeated team after the first three group-stage matches.

India were handed their first loss of the World Cup when South Africa pulled off a stunning turnaround in a three-wicket win on Thursday.

All 15,087 tickets for Sunday’s eagerly awaited clash were sold out earlier in the week, indicating huge interest in what is now seen as one of the top rivalries in women’s cricket.

Click here for Hafsa Adil’s full preview.

“It was a good team performance; a lot of energy into this match, defending mostly. And we knew that we were gonna need to defend,” Halmgrimsson told RTE.

“We did it quite well… when we got tired, they [Portugal] got a little bit more time on the ball, and these players have the quality to find the perfect passes, as you saw, in the goal. We gave them too much time to run into space and find the killer pass.

“I would say we should be proud of the performance, and not happy, but we should be proud of the performance. A lot of good things to take away from this match.”

Click here to read our full match report.

“It was painful after all the work. It was not perfect, but we defended well,” Ireland coach Hallgrimsson said on RTE. “As the players got tired towards the end, we gave them [Portugal] too much time to create chances.

“When you waste so much time defending, maybe the decision-making in attack isn’t the best.

“There were no passengers in this game; instead of picking out individuals, everyone did their job so well tonight,” he added.

Portugal’s Ruben Neves scored a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win over Ireland that preserved their 100 percent record in World Cup qualifying Group F and consolidated the top spot on Saturday.

Portugal moved to nine points at the halfway stage of the campaign with a five-point lead over second-placed Hungary, who they host on Tuesday, when they could secure qualification.

Neves headed home a minute into added time at the Estadio Jose Alvalade for his first international goal.

It was a poignant tribute to close friend Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July and whose No 21 jersey Neves wore in Portugal’s first home game since the Liverpool player’s death.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a penalty saved earlier in the match as Ireland threatened to hold the hosts to a draw, but the late strike kept the Irish at the bottom of the standings with one point.

In the next round, on Tuesday, Portugal face Hungary in Lisbon, and Ireland play Armenia in Dublin. Both matches will kick off at 18:45 GMT.

 “It’s very disappointing. I think the lads dug in for nearly the whole game,” Ireland defender O’Brien told their national broadcaster RTE.

“I think with how much we dug in, we deserved a point. That’s going to really hurt us.”

“Playing against teams like this, you have to stay focused for the whole time. I think for just a small moment, we switched off, and they got their moment,” he added.

Following Saturday’s round of qualifying fixtures, here’s a breakdown of the scenario in Group F:

• Portugal remain on top with nine points, winning all three matches so far.
• Hungary have moved to second place, with four points, after beating Armenia 1-0 earlier today.
• Armenia sit third with three points, while Ireland are at the bottom with one.

Four other UEFA qualifiers for the World Cup were under way this evening. Here’s how those games ended:

• Estonia 1-3 Italy (Group I)
• Spain 2-0 Georgia (Group E)
• Bulgaria 1-6 Turkiye (Group E)
• Serbia 0-1 Albania (Group K)

Just when it looked like Ireland would hold Portugal to a goalless draw, the midfielder turned hero for the home side, heading home Trincao’s delivery into the net.

The goal – Neves’s first for Portugal in 60 international appearances – sealed three vital points for the twice UEFA Nations League winners, who remain on top of their World Cup qualifying group.

To celebrate the winning goal, Neves raised his arms, pointed to the sky and pulled down his left sock to show a tattoo on his leg – a picture of him hugging the late Jota.

Jota, also a Portuguese player, was killed in a car crash three months ago. After his death, Neves took over his #21 jersey.

A stoppage-time header from Neves guides Portugal to a 1-0 win over Ireland in this World Cup qualifier in Lisbon.

Portugal dominated proceedings from the get-go, registering a whopping 29 attempts, but lacked efficiency in the final third. They were even handed an opportunity in the 75th minute when O’Shea’s blunder led to a penalty, but Ronaldo’s spot kick down the middle was flicked away by Kelleher.

Ireland’s defence was brilliant for large parts of the match but conceded in the first minute of stoppage time when Neves sent his header beyond Kelleher, bringing up his first international goal.

The header brought up Neves’s maiden international goal for Portugal. It took him 60 appearances, but better late than never. And as things stand, it seems the goal will be enough to seal them a victory.

Making the occasion even more special would be the fact that he found the net wearing the #21 jersey, once worn by his best friend Jota, who was killed in a car crash three months ago.

90+6 mins: Portugal 1-0 Ireland

For a solid 90 minutes, Ireland’s defenders and the excellent keeper Kelleher kept them in the game with vital blocks, clearances and penalty saves.

But in the end, a quick team move and a fine finish from Neves mean the Irish concede at last.

90+3 mins: Portugal 1-0 Ireland

At last, Portugal find the net!

Midfielder Neves leaps and makes perfect contact with Trincao’s cross into the box, sending Portugal into the lead after a frustrating 90 minutes.

90+1 mins: Portugal 1-0 Ireland

A lengthy period of injury time in Lisbon.

Dias goes down to the ground holding his face after a foul from Parrott.

90+1 mins: Portugal 0-0 Ireland

O’Shea heads away Mendes’s delivery in the box before Trincao blazes his effort high from the edge of the area.

90 mins: Portugal 0-0 Ireland

Cullen and Manning pick up a yellow each as Ireland try to run down the clock.

Can they hold on for a formidable draw or, perhaps, a stunning victory?

89 mins: Portugal 0-0 Ireland