WORLD CUP 2026 QUALIFYING GROUP F
Republic of Ireland v Portugal, Thursday 13 November, 7.45pm, Aviva Stadium
TV
Live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm
RADIO
Live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
ONLINE
Live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app
WEATHER
It'll be a wet day in Dublin but it's forecast to dry up in time for kick-off with the chance of a couple of showers. Temperatures about nine degrees.
STATE OF PLAY BEFORE WE EVEN KICK-OFF
The final week of this World Cup group is upon us with two matches for the Boys in Green.
In case you've missed it, the Republic of Ireland must cause some major shocks to remain in the hunt.
Portugal are moving closer to automatic qualification, leaving three sides to battle it out for the play-off.
Hungary travel to Armenia for a 5pm kick-off in a game which will have a major say on our hopes.
We looked at the overall permutations following our unimpressive win over Armenia.
Second place is possible if:
- Ireland draw with Portugal, Hungary fail to beat Armenia and Ireland win in Budapest.
- Ireland beat Portugal, Hungary draw with Armenia and Ireland draw in Budapest.
- Ireland beat Portugal and win in Budapest.
So there is still a chance and we'll know a lot more by 7pm.
Equally, if Hungary win, the atmosphere will certainly be deflated come kick-off in Dublin. Then it will be win or bust. Should a more favourable result occur, the decibels will only increase from the home supporters in what is a sell-out crowd.
APPROACH DOESN'T CHANGE FOR HEIMIR
Heimir Hallgrimsson feels even if it becomes a scenario where Ireland need to win, they can't try to take on Portugal.
History has shown the pragmatic approach is probably best.
In Lisbon, Ireland came so close to grabbing a point before a late Ruben Neves goal sealed it. Attacks proved few and far between from the visitors.
Hallgrimsson said they will remain cautious, until the point of no return: "Our approach is not going to change, so we need to play a certain style versus Portugal whether we need a win or a draw.
"We can't go all-in against a team like Portugal, it’s not going to be a basketball match. Then we will take calculated risks if we need to score a goal later on in the game."
INJURIES LEAVE IRELAND TOILING
If things weren't hard enough coming up against a side as good as Portugal, the Irish squad has been hit hard by absentees.
Left-back is the biggest issue. Robbie Brady and Ryan Manning would be the first options, with the latter suspended for the clash with Portugal. Manning will be available on Sunday. Matt Doherty and Callum O'Dowda would also be in reserve but, like Brady, injury has struck.
New York City's Kevin O'Toole's call-up came as a bolt from the blue. The thought he would be thrown into the Irish side against of the world's leading nations is illogical, so a patch-up option will be either Liam Scales or Seamus Coleman.
Coleman's impressive performances last time out may earn him the nod, but it's a big ask for the veteran Everton man when rarely playing at club level.
Up front Evan Ferguson is ruled out, at least for Thursday. Troy Parrott and Adam Idah will be eyeing the number nine jersey.
Johnny Kenny was a late call-up for Ferguson. The Sligoman may make his debut over the window, particularly if Sunday is something of a dead rubber.
Republic of Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), Liam Scales (Celtic), John Egan (Hull City), Ryan Manning (Southampton)*, Kevin O'Toole (New York City)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion)*, Finn Azaz (Southampton), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Andrew Moran (LAFC), Jamie McGrath (Hibernian)
Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City FC), Johnny Kenny (Celtic), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United), Festy Ebosele (İstanbul Başakşehir)
*Suspended for the first match against Portugal.
PORTUGAL, WE KNOW THEM WELL
Every time it has seemed a big ask against Portugal, Ireland have at least made it competitive.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes need no introduction and have broken our hearts, but the current Manchester United midfielder will not be present due to a ban. However, their squad is littered with players from all the top leagues, particularly in England.
Ronaldo's brace in 2021 led to a late 2-1 victory on the Algarve. A 0-0 stalemate in Dublin followed.
Neves headed home in the final seconds earlier this year, so while we've only taken one point from nine, there are positives.
Ronaldo extended his international record to 141 goals in 223 international appearances in the previous window.
Portugal squad:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Rui Silva
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Nelson Semedo, Nuno Mendes, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inacio, António Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Tavares
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha, Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Goncalves, Bernardo Silva
Forwards: Joao Felix, Francisco Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leao, Goncalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo
HEIMIR'S LAST HURRAH?
This game could represent the final home encounter for Heimir Hallgrimsson, given it's the final international window of his contract.
We're looking for a moment like Jason McAteer against the Netherlands or Shane Long versus Germany.
It seems a world away right now. Ireland will be aiming to defy all expectations and head to Hungary with a big chance of a play-off.
Watch Republic of Ireland v Portugal in World Cup qualifying on Thursday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
