### Portugal's Late Heroics: Neves Secures World Cup Qualifying Win Against Ireland Portugal's national football team achieved a dramatic victory over Ireland in a World Cup 2026 qualifying match held at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon. Rúben Neves scored a stoppage-time goal, leading Portugal to a 1-0 win and maintaining their perfect record in Group F. This victory places Portugal at the top of the group with nine points, five points ahead of second-placed Hungary, as they progress through the qualifying stages of the tournament [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/last-gasp-neves-winner-keeps-portugal-on-track-for-world-cup][https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/last-gasp-neves-winner-keeps-portugal-track-world-cup-5396576]. ### Breakdown of the Match and Its Implications 1. **Match Overview**: - Portugal faced Ireland in a tightly contested match that saw both teams struggle to find the net until the dying moments. - Rúben Neves' goal came in the 90+1 minute, ensuring Portugal's victory after Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty was saved earlier in the match [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/cristiano-ronaldo-ireland-ruben-neves-caoimhin-kelleher-portugal-b2843799.html][https://www.thebridgechronicle.com/sports/ruben-neves-late-winner-portugal-beats-ireland-world-cup-qualifier-as99]. 2. **Key Players**: - Rúben Neves emerged as the match-winner, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. - Cristiano Ronaldo, despite missing a penalty, played a crucial role in the match, contributing to the team's overall performance [https://thesportstak.com/football/story/cristiano-ronaldo-shares-five-word-reaction-as-ruben-neves-late-goal-secures-portugal-win-after-missed-penalty-3207751-2025-10-12]. 3. **Group Standings**: - With this win, Portugal solidified their position at the top of Group F, with nine points from three matches. - Hungary, currently in second place, trails by five points, making Portugal the frontrunner for qualification to the World Cup [https://zamin.uz/en/sport/163325-wc-2026-qualifiers-victories-for-spain-italy-and-portugal-and-other-results.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Statistics - **Match Statistics**: - Final Score: Portugal 1 - 0 Ireland - Goal Scorer: Rúben Neves (90+1 minute) - Notable Event: Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher [https://www.flashscore.dk/news/soccer-world-cup-neves-spares-ronaldo-s-blushes-with-stoppage-time-winner-for-portugal-against-ireland/SGD1cGO6]. - **Group F Standings**: - 1. Portugal: 9 points - 2. Hungary: 4 points - 3. Ireland: 1 point [https://zamin.uz/en/sport/163321-portugal-defeated-ireland-in-the-last-minute.html]. ### Conclusion: Portugal's Path to the World Cup In summary, **Portugal's late victory against Ireland not only highlights their resilience but also reinforces their status as a strong contender for the World Cup 2026**. The team's ability to secure crucial points in the qualifying rounds is pivotal for their aspirations. The match showcased key performances, particularly from Rúben Neves and Cristiano Ronaldo, and solidified Portugal's lead in Group F. 1. Portugal's win keeps them at the top of Group F. 2. Rúben Neves' late goal was crucial for maintaining their perfect record. 3. The team is five points clear of Hungary, enhancing their chances for World Cup qualification [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/portugal-vs-ireland-result-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-por-v-ire-highlights-cristiano-ronaldo-cr7-reben-neves-goals/article70153275.ece].