Portugal 1-0 Republic of Ireland - Rúben Neves heads home in added time to send the Seleção a step closer to the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Portugal made it three straight wins in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after beating Republic of Ireland 1-0 at Estádio José Alvalade.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post in the 17th minute with Bernardo Silva sending the follow up wide. Chances were few and far between in Lisbon where the visitors parked the bus.

Ronaldo was presented with a golden opportunity from the penalty spot in the 75th minute but couldn’t steer the ball past Caoimhín Kelleher.

Gonçalo Ramos was introduced in the 86th minute and played a minor role in the winning goal which came in added time, distracting defenders which allowed Rúben Neves to ghost into the box and head Francisco Trincão’s cross into the net.

Roberto Martinez’s side stay in Lisbon where they will host Hungary at the Estádio José Alvalade on Tuesday, another victory likely to see the Seleção book their ticket to the World Cup with two games to spare.

Portugal probed for opportunities out wide with Ireland wasting no time in parking the bus. Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post in the 17th minute, the ball bouncing straight to Bernardo Silva who missed an open net.

Jayson Molumby fired over the bar from distance which would prove to be the visitors only shot until added time.

Vitinha’s deflected strike sailed over the bar and Bruno Fernandes’ corner was headed towards the goal by Molumby, Caoimhín Kelleher punching the ball away from danger.

Roberto Martínez brought on Renato Veiga for Gonçalo Inácio at the break, Ronaldo firing wide as the Seleção continued to turn the screw against an increasingly deep lying Irish side.

Rúben Neves and Vitinha tested Caoimhín Kelleher before Martínez introduced Nélson Semedo, Rafael Leão and Francisco Trincão for Diogo Dalot, Vitinha and Pedro Neto.

Ronaldo couldn’t steer Semedo’s cross on target but he would soon be offered a glorious chance from the penalty spot. Trincão’s shot slammed into Dara O'Shea’s arm, referee Ivan Kruzliak instantly pointing to the spot where Ronaldo stroked the ball straight down the middle, Kelleher doing well to delay his dive and kick the ball away from danger.

Gonçalo Ramos came on for Bruno Fernandes in the 86th minute and immediately headed Rúben Dias’ cross wide. Most of the supporters inside Estádio José Alvalade were preparing to go home disappointed before the breakthrough came in added time.

Trincão sent a cross into the box where Ronaldo and Ramos distracted Ireland’s defence, Rúben Neves attacking the ball and heading it past Kelleher.

Leão broke free on a counter attack and fired wide but the job was done, Martínez maintaining his perfect record in the qualifiers since becoming manager of the Seleção.

Better late than never

The pattern of the game was established early in Lisboa where Ireland defended with a flat back five and four players sitting in front of them. Evan Ferguson was defending so deep that there was nowhere to go on the rare occurrences they won the ball.

Bernardo Silva missed a glorious opportunity in the 17th minute but from then on chances were few and far between. When Caoimhín Kelleher saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s 75th minute penalty it appeared the visitors would go home with the 0-0 draw they came to accomplish.

Portugal’s persistence paid off however, and the way the winner was constructed was one of the only ways they were going to break through Ireland’s determined defence. Having Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos on the pitch at the same time opens up plenty of space in the box, Rúben Neves taking advantage and heading Trincão’s cross into the net.

It was Neves' first goal for Portugal and came not long after he started wearing Digo Jota's number 21 jersey. After netting Portugal's decisive penalty in the UEFA Nations League final, he is proving to be an important part of Martínez's plans.

His goal also adds to a curious statistic in the World Cup qualifiers, eight of Portugal's nine goals now scored by players playing their trade in Saudi Arabia.

It’s never easy to break through when an opposing team shut up shop, park the bus and aim for a 0-0 draw. Credit should go to Portugal for persisting, the ended the contest with 30-2 shots including 6-0 on target and 3.11-0.08 expected goals.

The Seleção are now on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with two games to spare. They host Hungary at Estádio José Alvalade on Tuesday when three points should be enough to book their ticket to the big dance.

Flag debacle

One of the impressive initiatives the Portguese Football Federation has introduced in recent years has been purchasing and placing thousands of flags on seats before international matches. They are also available for matches involving Portuguese youth teams.

What we saw against Ireland was a desecration of the national flag which was backed by a blue logo featuring a telecommunications company. Those in attendance could have been forgiven for thinking they were witnessing a game in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Companies infiltrating their way into Portuguese football stadiums is nothing new, especially after Liga Portugal and the top four clubs in Portugal started selling out to gambling companies who now dominate the ever increasing advertising space.

I think commercialising the national flag is beyond the pale, but there is clearly no limits when profit is involved. The bottom line is the motivating factor for those who seem intent to turn football supporters into human billboards.

Line Ups

Portugal: Diogo Costa, Diogo Dalot (Nélson Semedo, 61’), Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio (Renato Veiga, 46’), Nuno Mendes, Rúben Neves, Vitinha (Rafael Leão, 61’), Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes (Gonçalo Ramos, 86’), Pedro Neto (Francisco Trincão, 61’), Cristiano Ronaldo

Unused substitutes: José Sá, Rui Silva, António Silva, Matheus Nunes, João Palhinha, Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Conceição

Coach: Roberto Martínez

Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher, Jake O’Brien, Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins, Seamus Coleman (John Egan, 86’), Jayson Molumby, Josh Cullen, Ryan Manning, Festy Ebosele (Mikey Johnston, 64’), Evan Ferguson (Will Smallbone, 77’), Chiedozie Ogbene (Troy Parrott, 77’)

Unused substitute: Gavin Bazunu, Mark Travers, Jimmy Dunne, Jack Taylor, Will Ferry, Finn Azaz, Adam Idah, Kasey McAteer