Portugal Edges Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Thrilling World Cup Qualifier Clash

In a closely contested European Qualifiers match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portugal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on October 11, 2025, at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.

Portugal dominated possession throughout the match, mounting numerous attacks and taking 30 shots on goal, yet they found it challenging to penetrate Ireland's disciplined defense. A pivotal moment came in the 75th minute when a handball by an Irish defender was confirmed by VAR, resulting in a penalty award for Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty, but Irish goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher made an impressive save to keep his team in contention.

The match remained deadlocked until deep into stoppage time when Ruben Neves broke the deadlock, heading in a precise cross from Francisco Trincão in the 91st minute. This goal secured a vital three points for Portugal, marking their 13th consecutive qualification victory—a notable achievement underscoring their dominance in the qualifiers.

The Republic of Ireland showed great resilience and organization defensively but ultimately fell short against a relentless Portuguese side.

This win maintains Portugal’s strong position in the European Qualifiers and signals their continued quest for World Cup success on home soil. The match was broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and drew significant attention from football fans across Europe and India.