Republic of Ireland – Portugal, European qualification for World Cup live
An eleven with many changes due to the yellow players who were at risk of not playing against Serbia, next Sunday, at Estádio da Luz.
Nélson Semedo, Diogo Dalot, Matheus Nunes and Gonçalo Guedes started with Danilo in the center of defense along with Pepe. Portugal’s game was always of intensity and without ideas to reach the last third.
On minute 13, André Silva made an attempt at a shot, without an angle, which Bazunu also saved for a corner. Until the end of the first part, the highlight was another Portuguese move that collided with the Republic of Ireland’s defense.
In the second half, João Moutinho and Rafael Leão entered but Portugal continued to show very little related football. The highlight was Cristiano Ronaldo’s 67th-minute header, which passed close to the post.
However, the big setback for Portugal would come after the 80 minutes. Despite the savings due to the danger of exclusion against Serbia, Fernando Santos saw Pepe sent off for accumulating a yellow card.
The Republic of Ireland, with one more, was excited, did not have a 12th player in the stadium. Ronaldo still tried his luck in discounts but without success.
The result would not come out of the null. Portugal add a point in a game in which they were not good and in which they lose Pepe for the match against Serbia. Despite the result, Portugal moved into first place in the group and will face the Balkan team next Sunday.
The two teams are equal on points, both with 17 points.