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Heartbreak in Lisbon as Ireland edged by last-gasp Portugal goal

Updated / Sunday, 12 Oct 2025 00:23
Ruben Neves broke the deadlock in Lisbon in the 90th minute
Ruben Neves broke the deadlock in Lisbon in the 90th minute

Ireland's woes continued in Portugal as an injury-time goal proved the difference with Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side narrowly edged out in Lisbon, losing 1-0 at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

A brave and battling performance eventually counted for nothing as the home side, once again, broke Irish hearts in added time thanks to Ruben Neves’ powerful header.

Ireland had already survived a second-half scare as Caoimhín Kelleher saved a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, but in the end, Portugal took the points to move further clear in this World Cup qualifying campaign.

A rugby-style manoeuvre got things started as Ireland tipped off with a long ball deep into the corner, complete with a plethora of white jerseys in pursuit, yet with no reward.

Naturally it was the home side who set the tone early on, working the flanks and earning a couple of corners to test the Irish defence.

But it was a good start from the well-organised, if deep-sitting Ireland side and the best Portugal could muster was a blasted Nuno Mendes volley across the face of goal, as the defender arrived late at the back post to connect to the deep-flighted cross.

Ireland were getting plenty of possession, but there was no real attacking intent other than keeping the ball moving, and happy to check back and inside to space.

Likewise, a long, hopeful ball from Kelleher resulted in Chiedozie Ogbene winning a free in an advanced position. It allowed the visitors to work the play into the box on a couple of occasions, but both times Portugal comfortably cleared.

11 October 2025; Chiedozie Ogbene of Republic of Ireland has a shot on goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Chiedozie Ogbene won a free in an advanced position leading to play in the box which Portugal easily dealt with

Less than 15 minutes on the clock and the home supporters were looking to get a Mexican Wave going, which showed that the locals felt the three points were already in the bag.

In the 17th minute, Portugal managed to work the ball through the centre for the first time in the game, and it almost paid dividends as Ronaldo’s left-footed effort struck the base of the post. Bernardo Silva was unable to work the rebound into the empty net, but the offside flag was raised – replays suggesting that he was not offside when Ronaldo struck his effort.

The crowd showed their respect for Diogo Jota in the 21st minute as a picture of the former international and Liverpool forward was displayed on the screens around the arena.

Hallgrimsson’s side were still looking to get forward when the opportunity presented itself and it was encouraging to see Festy Ebosele having the beating of Mendes down the right, albeit without any success with the wayward delivery.

The first real Ireland attempt came in the 25th minute following some decent build-up play down the right. The ball eventually worked back to Jayson Molumby in space just outside the box but his well struck effort flew over the bar.

Another Portugal chance arrived five minutes later, and again it was Ronaldo attacking the ball in from the right following neat play inside from Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha to drag jerseys towards the ball. Ronaldo did well to make contact on the cross but not enough to be able to direct it on target.

Another hopeful punt forward from Coleman almost put Ogbebe in on goal only for the retreating Ruben Dias getting the slightest of touches to just take it off the toe of the arriving Ireland forward.

Two more chances followed for the home side as Pedro Neto blasted a low effort wide before Vitinha’s shot was deflected over by Jake O’Brien.

To their credit, Ireland were trying things, and burst out of defence following a nonchalant yet unsuccessful Ronaldo back heel, allowing O’Brien and Ebosele burst forward. There were numbers in support, however, the cautious nature once inside the final third saw the ball held up and cleared.

The home side had a penalty shout waved away in the 41st minute as O’Brien bundled Fernandes over in the box before Kelleher did very well to bat a ferocious delivery away from the resulting corner.

Ireland were then almost caught playing out of defence as Ebosele was dispossessed on the edge but Neves was unable to capitalise.

A minute before the break, a tiring Ireland were getting a touch sloppy leading to more Portugal pressure, but nothing came from the speculative Fernandes strike from just outside the area.

On the stroke of half-time, Collins saved a near certain goal, throwing himself in front of Silva’s close-range effort after Diogo Dalot did well to work the ball in from the right.

Scoreless at the break, it was more of the same at the start of the second half as the home side came flying at the Ireland defence.

Two early chances from Fernandes and Neves were well blocked inside the packed penalty box, and then a trio of Ronaldo chances within the next five minutes showed the intent of the home side, who were getting urged on by the home support who were eventually involved in proceedings.

11 October 2025; Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts after a missed opportunity on goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Cristiano Ronaldo was visibly frustrated in the first half but came out with intent after the break

In fact, the natives were getting restless, with Ronaldo joining in with some antics in the face of a calm and collected Kelleher who could not be hurried.

The keeper, however, was very alert when he needed to be and got down to make a very good save as Neves burst forward and looked to guide one home from just outside the box, but Kelleher went full stretch to prevent an opening goal.

Vitinha was next to test the keeper, and again the Cork man did his business and palmed away the well-struck shot to his right.

A rare foray forward from Ogbene in the 70th minute ended up with a decent delivery into the box with the arriving Josh Cullen just unable to connect.

Kelleher would eventually get a caution for slow play as the one-way traffic resumed; another chance fell at the feet of Ronaldo after substitute Nelson Semedo slapped a good ball in from the right. The delivery just a touch behind and the former Manchester United man was unable to direct it on target.

And then came the drama, as the home side were awarded a 73rd-minute penalty.

Dara O’Shea threw himself at the shot of another sub, Francisco Trincao, and the referee, right on hand, immediately pointed to the spot – replays showed the ball hitting the chest, but the decision remained as there may have been a touch on the arm in the process.

Ronaldo would, of course, take the spot-kick, but it was remarkably saved by the foot of Kelleher after the keeper had initially dived to his right.

The home side appeared a touch shell-shocked in the minutes following the missed penalty and as the game moved inside the last ten minutes, Ireland could start to see the finish line.

It wasn’t until the 87th minute before Portugal worked an opportunity on goal, however, substitute Goncalo Ramos headed wide.

That penalty save brought back memories of the 2021 fixture as Gavin Bazunu stopped a Ronaldo spot-kick, and when the official raised the board for seven additional minutes to be added on, there was also an ominous reminder how that game would play out.

And sure enough, the home side eventually broke through thanks to a fine headed effort from Neves who met the ball in from the right perfectly, giving Kelleher no chance as he got in ahead of the keeper, who was looking to punch clear.

Ireland looked for a quick response but were nearly hit on the counter as Rafael Leao flew down the left and slammed his shot wide of the far post.

Time would eventually run out as Ireland proved unable to rescue a point on this particular occasion, however, they will take heart from the performance to take into Tuesday’s game at home to Armenia.

Portugal: Diogo Costa; Diogo Dalot (Francisco Trincao 62), Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio (Renato Veiga HT), Nuno Mendes; Bruno Fernandes (Goncalo Ramos 86), Ruben Neves, Vitinha (Nelson Semedo 62); Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto (Rafael Leao 62), Cristiano Ronaldo

Republic of Ireland: Caoimhín Kelleher; Seamus Coleman (John Egan 86), Nathan Collins (capt), Jake O'Brien, Dara O'Shea, Ryan Manning; Jayson Molumby, Josh Cullen, Festy Ebosele (Mikey Johnston 64), Chiedozie Ogbene (Will Smallbone 78); Evan Ferguson (Troy Parrott 78)

Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (SVK)

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