Ronaldo Misses Penalty as Portugal Snatch Dramatic Late Win Over Ireland
Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating night in Lisbon, missing a penalty before Rúben Neves rescued Portugal with a stoppage-time header to seal a vital 1-0 win over Ireland.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s usually reliable finishing deserted him on Saturday night at the Estádio José Alvalade, as the Portuguese captain failed to convert a first-half penalty that could have eased nerves.
Despite controlling much of the game, Portugal found Ireland difficult to break down. The visitors defended deep and frustrated the hosts until the dying minutes.
Just when it looked like Portugal might drop points, midfielder Rúben Neves rose highest to head home the winner in added time, sparking relief among the home fans.
The result keeps Portugal’s perfect record intact in the World Cup qualifiers, with three wins from three matches. They now top Group F, ahead of Hungary and Armenia.
A victory in their next match against Hungary could secure early qualification for the 2026 World Cup, provided Armenia fail to beat Ireland in the group’s other fixture.
Elsewhere in Europe, Spain continued their strong campaign with a 2-0 home win against Georgia, putting them within touching distance of qualification. Luis de la Fuente’s side will book their World Cup ticket if they beat Bulgaria next week.
Turkey also impressed with a 6-1 demolition of Bulgaria, tightening their grip on a playoff position, while Norway maintained a flawless record after thrashing Israel 5-0.
Meanwhile, Albania recorded a politically charged 1-0 victory over Serbia in Belgrade a crucial step in their pursuit of a historic first-ever World Cup appearance.
Saturday’s miss was Ronaldo’s 32nd penalty failure in his professional career, out of more than 190 attempts for club and country.
Despite the occasional setback, the 40-year-old remains one of football’s most prolific spot-kick takers, having scored over 160 penalties across his two-decade career.
His rare misfires including key misses for Real Madrid, Juventus and Portugal have only added to the drama of a career defined by relentless pursuit of perfection.
For Ronaldo and Portugal, the night may have been tenser than expected, but the late drama ensured they remain on course still unbeaten, still dreaming of North America 2026.
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