Ruben Neves spared Cristiano Ronaldo’s blushes with a stoppage-time winner as Portugal overcame their captain’s missed penalty to beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in World Cup qualifying.

It looked as though Portugal would lose their perfect record in Group F when Ronaldo saw a spot-kick saved by Caoimhin Kelleher, but Neves’ first senior international goal broke Irish hearts at the death.

Portugal’s first real attack saw Ronaldo strike the base of the post from the edge of the area, and Bernardo Silva somehow failed to turn the rebound into a gaping net.

Vitinha saw an attempt from distance deflect onto the top of Kelleher’s net as Portugal continued to dominate possession, but Ireland made it to half-time at 0-0 as their goalkeeper made a sprawling save to keep out Ronaldo’s header at his near post.

Portugal continued to boss proceedings in the second half, but Ronaldo scuffed wide after taking in Bruno Fernandes’ pass with a lovely touch, while Kelleher got down to his left to turn Vitinha’s curler around the post.

The hosts’ best opportunity came when substitute Francisco Trincao cut inside and fired off a shot that crashed into Dara O’Shea, with referee Ivan Kruzliak immediately awarding a penalty for handball.

The decision stood following a VAR review, but Kelleher flicked out his left leg after diving and turned Ronaldo’s weak spot-kick over the crossbar.

But in the first of seven minutes of second-half stoppage time, Neves proved the hero, getting ahead of Kelleher to nod Trincao’s in-swinging cross home and lift the Selecao to nine points.

90+1′ JÁ ESTÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ!!!! GOOOOOOOOLOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! RÚBENNNNNNNN NEVESSSSSSSSSSS #PORIRL | 1-0 | #FazHistória #WCQ

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) October 11, 2025

Data Debrief: Neves’ long wait over

Portugal fired off 30 attempts throughout the course of Saturday’s match, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 3.11 but only hitting the target six times.

But it looked as though Ireland’s heroic defensive display would be rewarded with a point, as Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side attempt to snatch a second-placed finish and a play-off spot.

Ronaldo has now failed to score three of the last five penalties he has taken for Portugal, excluding shoot-outs, and that spot-kick was the only time the five-time Ballon d’Or winner hit the target on Saturday, from seven shots.

But Neves had other ideas, scoring his first Portugal goal on his 60th cap then celebrating by kissing the number 21, which he recently took as a tribute to his close friend Diogo Jota, who previously donned the number for the Selecao.