Ruben Neves’ late goal secured a vital 1-0 victory for Portugal over a resilient Republic of Ireland

The win spared Cristiano Ronaldo’s blushes after the talisman saw his second-half penalty saved.
Portugal secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over a fiercely resilient Republic of Ireland side in Lisbon, thanks to a stunning, last-gasp header from Ruben Neves. The midfielder’s heroics in stoppage time ensured Portugal grabbed three crucial points in their World Cup qualifying campaign, sparing their captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, from an evening of regret.

The Irish Defense and Ronaldo’s Miss
The Irish defense, marshaled superbly, executed their game plan perfectly for over 90 minutes, confining Roberto Martinez’s side to difficult chances. Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher delivered a superb performance, stopping everything Portugal threw at him.

The biggest moment of tension came in the 73rd minute when Portugal was awarded a penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo, making his 50th appearance in World Cup qualifiers, stepped up but saw his effort stopped brilliantly by the outstretched leg of Kelleher. The missed penalty left the home crowd in disbelief and Portugal staring at a dropped two points.

Ruben Neves Late Goal Portugal
Just when it seemed Portugal would run out of luck, the decisive moment arrived in the 91st minute. A cross swung into the box was met by Ruben Neves’ determined header. The midfielder, wearing Diogo Jota’s No. 21 shirt in honor of his late teammate, nicked the ball just ahead of Kelleher’s desperate punch, finding the back of the net and sparking wild celebrations.

The goal confirmed a hard-fought 1-0 win for Portugal. While Ronaldo failed to find his scoring touch, Neves stepped up as the hero, ensuring Portugal maintained their strong position in the group and kept their World Cup qualification path clear.