Republic of Ireland
Greece
Gibraltar
Netherlands 2
France 2
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Portugal 2 - 1 Republic of Ireland
REPORT | Portugal 2-1 Ireland - Ronaldo show breaks hearts
Ireland went ahead thanks to a John Egan right on halftime but it was undone by a brace of goals by Ronaldo added on time. Stephen Kenny handed Jamie McGrath his first start for Ireland and Aaron Connolly returned to the side.
Despite early chances for the home side after Portugal won a series of corners, all were dealt with, as captain Seamus Coleman led a solid defensive line. Portugal was awarded a penalty after Jeff Hendrick was deemed to have brought Bruno Fernandes down in the area.
After a lengthy delay due to a VAR check, Gavin Bazunu did excellently to deny Cristiano Ronaldo with a brilliant low save to his right. Ireland went close from a Jamie McGrath corner which found its way to Aaron Connolly at the back post but his curling effort went wide.
After a clever counter-attack, Connolly’s initial shot found its way to Seamus Coleman but Rui Patrício was alert to the danger. Diogo Jota went close for the hosts but the post denied him as Bazunu looked to have it covered. Ireland continued to press and Adam Idah was central to each attack and he laid the ball off to Connolly on the edge of the area but it curled over.
Ireland had another great chance as Connolly broke free of the defence on the left but his shot was blocked at the near post by Rui Patrício after the stopper came out to close down the angles.
Ireland took the lead from the resulting corner as Jamie McGrath delivered a pinpoint cross from the corner which was met John Egan at the near post which was guided past Patrício into the back of the net.
Another fine save by Bazunu denied Diogo Jota right on half time as his volley was collected on the second attempt. The second half saw both sides test their respective defensives but the best of the opportunities fell to Ireland as Jamie McGrath played an excellent through ball to Aaron Connolly but he couldn’t make the opportunity count.
Bruno Fernandes went close for the hosts but his curling effort just went past Bazunu’s far post. Connolly went close again following a John Egan knockdown but his volley went wide. Shane Duffy denied Portugal a certain equaliser as a cross from the right was blocked on the line by the defender and from the follow-up attempt, Bazunu calmly saved.
Bernardo Silva had a fantastic opportunity after taking the ball into the area but his shot was well blocked by Adam Idah for a corner. Bernardo Silva got in behind the Irish defence following a Ronaldo cross but his effort went over the bar. Portugal continued to press but Ireland's defence held firm with Adam Idah spearheading Ireland's pacy counter-attack.
Joao Mario had a great opportunity to restore parity only for an excellent block by Josh Cullen, from a resulting free-kick Bazunu once again denied Ronaldo from a free-kick as he pushed it clear.
Ronaldo did equalise for Portugal, however, as a cross from the right was met by the Portugal talisman on the eighteen-yard line to head it past Bazunu.
He would get his second goal in the 95th minute in Portugal's last attack with Ronaldo scoring his second to seal the win for the home side and deny Ireland a well-deserved point, which could have been all three.
Portugal: Rui Patrício, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Raphaël Guerreiro (Nuno Mendes 61), João Palhinha (João Moutinho 72), Cristiano Ronaldo ©, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes (Joao Mario 61), Rafa Silva (André Silva 46), João Cancelo (Gonçalo Guedes 82), Diogo Jota.
Subs not used: Anthony Lopes, Diogo Costa, Nélson Semedo, Danilo, Domingos Duarte, Otávio, Rúben Neves.
Republic of Ireland: Gavin Bazunu, Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy, John Egan, Josh Cullen, Matt Doherty, Adam Idah (James Collins 90), Jeff Hendrick, Jamie McGrath (Jayson Molumby 90), Dara O’Shea (Andrew Omobamidele 35), Aaron Connolly (James McClean 71).
Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, James Talbot, Ryan Manning, Conor Hourihane, Troy Parrott, Harry Arter, Daryl Horgan.
Booked: Jeff Hendrick, Dara O’Shea, Aaron Connolly, Matt Doherty, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sent off: None
Man of the Match: John Egan
Attendance: 7,831
Referee: Matej Jug (SVN)
PREVIEW | Portugal v Ireland - FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifier
Ireland will be looking to build on the win over Andorra and the draw in Hungary during the summer camp and bring that form into tomorrow's fixture against Portugal, which begins at 7.45pm.
Stephen Kenny's Ireland are currently second bottom of Group A after the defeats against Serbia and Luxembourg in March and will be looking for their first points of the group in this three-match window.
Match Details
Fixture: Portugal v Republic of Ireland
KO Time: 7.45pm
Stadium: Estadio Algarve, Faro
Competition: FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers - European Qualifiers
TV: RTE & Sky Sports
Match Officials
Referee: Matej Jug (SVN)
Assistant 1: Matej Zunic (SVN)
Assistant 2: Robert Vukan (SVN)
Fourth Official: Nejc Kajtazovic (SVN)
Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jure Praprotnik (SVN)
Team News
Bohemians goalkeeper James Talbot replaced Mark Travers in the squad and trained at the Estadio Algarve this evening. All other players in the squad are fit and available for selection.
What he said - Ireland manager Stephen Kenny
“You can’t go to Portugal and defend for 90 minutes and I think we have to go and be positive in our approach.
“Definitely it’s a challenge, there’s no doubt but we’re really looking forward to the week. It’s a great game for the players to play in.
"It’s a real tough challenge, Portugal have some really outstanding players, there’s no doubt about that, but a lot of our players are looking forward to showing what they’ve got.”
What he said - Ireland captain Seamus Coleman
“It’s not a case of ruining any parties or anything like that, because we have to focus on ourselves.
“Everyone in the world knows how important and how amazing Cristiano Ronaldo has been in the last 15 years. It’s incredible really.
“As a group we have to focus on what our plan is tomorrow and how we can stop them from playing. But they have a few players that we have to keep an eye on."
Watch the press conference with Stephen Kenny and Seamus Coleman here...
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), James Talbot (Bohemians)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Attackers: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Long (Southampton), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)
Tactical Lineups
Portugal
Substitutes
- 12 Anthony Lopes (G)
- 22 Diogo Costa (G)
- 2 Nélson Semedo
- 8 João Moutinho
- 9 André Silva
- 13 Danilo
- 14 Domingos Duarte
- 16 Otávio
- 17 Gonçalo Guedes
- 18 Rúben Neves
- 19 Nuno Mendes
- 23 João Mário
Coach
Fernando Santos
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 16 Caoimhin Kelleher (G)
- 23 James Talbot (G)
- 3 Ryan Manning
- 8 Conor Hourihane
- 10 Troy Parrott
- 11 James McClean
- 12 Harry Arter
- 15 Daryl Horgan
- 17 Jayson Molumby
- 19 James Collins
- 22 Andrew Omobamidele
Coach
Stephen Kenny
Officials
- Referee Matej Jug
- Assistant Referees Matej Žunič
- UEFA Delegate Lars Richt
- Assistant Referee Two Robert Vukan
- Fourth Official Nejc Kajtazovic
- Video Assistant Referee Paolo Valeri
- Referee Observer Laurent Duhamel
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee Jure Praprotnik
Match Statistics
- Portugal
- Republic of Ireland
Minute by Minute Commentary