Portugal v Ireland: Inácio stunned, Sporting defender in shock | OneFootball

Gonçalo Inácio started in the Portugal vs. Ireland World Cup qualifier. However, the Sporting center-back was substituted at halftime. After the match, Roberto Martínez revealed that the change was forced due to an injury to the Lions’ defender.

“I think we’ve already seen during the Nations League quarter-finals how important Gonçalo Inácio is for us. Renato Veiga also came on in the semi-final and the final of the Nations League; I think we’re very lucky to have players like them,” he began.

Martínez then revealed that the Sporting center-back was injured: “The halftime change was a physical issue: Gonçalo Inácio took a knock to his calf and wasn’t at 100%. We preferred not to take risks and used a player with the same profile who came on very well, was very aggressive, won the first ball, and showed he already has a match rhythm he didn’t have during the September camp. He’s already at a level where he can help the National Team. It’s not a serious injury; we have a game in 72 hours, but I think it will be resolved in 48.”

Portugal return to the field on Tuesday, October 14, against Hungary. The match is part of the 2026 World Cup qualifying phase and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 p.m. at the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting’s home ground

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.