Portugal 1–0 Republic of Ireland — World Cup Qualifier (11 Oct 2025)
Quick summary
Portugal snatched a stoppage-time 1–0 win over the Republic of Ireland at the Estádio José Alvalade thanks to a late header from Ruben Neves, preserving their perfect qualifying record in Group F. 1
Match details
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying (UEFA)
Date: 11 October 2025
Venue: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon. 2
Score: Portugal 1 — 0 Republic of Ireland
Key moments
- 90+1' — Ruben Neves: Neves rose to head home a late cross and secure the three points for Portugal. 3
- 75' — Penalty saved: Cristiano Ronaldo had a second-half penalty saved by Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher; Kelleher produced a number of crucial saves across the match. 4
- Ireland defended resolutely and frustrated Portugal for long periods, making the final minutes tense before the winner. 5
Performance notes
Portugal controlled possession for large spells and created several chances, but Ireland's organisation and the form of goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher kept the contest scoreless until the dying moments. The late header — and the saved penalty earlier — were the decisive talking points after a tight, physical night in Lisbon. 6
What this means in the group
The win keeps Portugal top of Group F and on track toward qualification; they now hold a healthy lead and will prepare for their next fixtures with momentum. Hungary and other group rivals continue to battle for the remaining spots. 7
Notable quotes
"A scrappy game but three vital points," — reaction from match coverage reflected the relief inside the Portuguese camp after a late winner. 8
Further reading / match reports
- Detailed write-ups and minute-by-minute liveblogs are available from major outlets covering the qualifier. 9
- Official UEFA match page lists the fixture information and stadium details. 10