Overview
- Troy Parrott headed in on 17 minutes after Liam Scales nodded a corner back across goal to give Ireland a 1-0 lead.
- Cristiano Ronaldo started alongside Bernardo Silva and João Félix for Portugal, who were missing suspended midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
- Left-back Nuno Mendes was unavailable with a knee sprain, a setback Roberto Martínez confirmed before the match.
- A loss would end Ireland’s qualifying hopes after Hungary beat Armenia earlier, whereas a Portugal win would secure a 2026 World Cup berth.
- Kickoff was 7:45 p.m. local time at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with Portugal dominating early possession before falling behind.