It’s a big night for Ireland and Heimir Hallgrímsson.
The Boys in Green need a positive result this evening to maintain their hopes of World Cup qualification.
Hungary’s 1-0 defeat of Armenia this evening means the Irish side’s hopes of reaching this summer’s tournament will be over if they lose tonight.
Even should they secure an improbable draw, they need a two-goal victory against Hungary in Budapest on Sunday.
Simply achieving two wins would also obviously be enough, but it is a tall order.
They are significant underdogs, though, against a Portugal team who are 57 places above them in the Fifa rankings and whose team is full of world-class stars.
Yet Ireland showed enough in the reverse fixture to suggest they are capable of securing a positive result — in Lisbon last month, the hosts required a 91st-minute Ruben Neves goal to secure a tight 1-0 win.
Scales heads a Cullen corner across the area, and Parrott is in the right place to nod it home.
Moments earlier, there were claims for a penalty, as the AZ star blocked the goalkeeper’s attempted pass before Costa committed a reckless challenge from behind, but the ref ignored Irish protests.
13 Nov 2025
8:09PM
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
Troy Parrott ignites the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying hopes with this goal after a great assist from Liam Scales.
71 mins: Dias plays a dangerous ball over the top.
But the header is a few inches wide, with O’Shea doing well to stop Leao from latching on to the ball at the far post.
13 Nov 2025
9:19PM
226 - In his 226th senior international appearance for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo has been red carded for the very first time. Mist. pic.twitter.com/VCgibTPK08
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As it happened: Ireland beat Portugal 2-0 to keep World Cup qualifying hopes alive
LAST UPDATE | 13 Nov 2025
Ireland 2-0 Portugal
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
It’s a big night for Ireland and Heimir Hallgrímsson.
The Boys in Green need a positive result this evening to maintain their hopes of World Cup qualification.
Hungary’s 1-0 defeat of Armenia this evening means the Irish side’s hopes of reaching this summer’s tournament will be over if they lose tonight.
Even should they secure an improbable draw, they need a two-goal victory against Hungary in Budapest on Sunday.
Simply achieving two wins would also obviously be enough, but it is a tall order.
They are significant underdogs, though, against a Portugal team who are 57 places above them in the Fifa rankings and whose team is full of world-class stars.
Yet Ireland showed enough in the reverse fixture to suggest they are capable of securing a positive result — in Lisbon last month, the hosts required a 91st-minute Ruben Neves goal to secure a tight 1-0 win.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
Confirmation of tonight’s teams below…
Ireland: Kelleher; Collins, O’Brien, O’Shea, Coleman, Scales; Cullen, Taylor; Ogbene, Azaz; Parrott.
Portugal: Costa; Dias, Inacio, Dalot, Cancelo; Vitinha, Ruben Neves, Joao Neves; Bernardo Silva, Joao Feliz, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Shay Given is trying his best to be optimistic from an Irish perspective…
Heimir Hallgrímsson speaks ahead of the game…
We’re underway…
2 mins: Ronaldo receives the ball in the area and has his first goal attempt.
But his backheel is easily dealt with by Kelleher.
4 mins: As expected, Portugal have dominated possession and territory so far.
But the visitors have yet to create a chance of note.
6 mins: Ireland players are not happy.
A shot by Vitinha is adjudged to have struck Cullen on the arm, and the ref awards a free kick on the edge of the area.
8 mins: Biggest cheer of the night so far.
Ronaldo’s free kick deflects off the head of O’Shea and goes out for a corner.
9 mins: Kelleher picks out Azaz with a fantastic long pass.
But the Southampton star’s low cross is cut out with two Irish players in the area.
11 mins: Neves pulls a cross back to Ronaldo on the edge of the area.
The Al-Nassr star’s first-time effort goes well over the bar, much to the delight of the home support.
12 mins: Parrott holds the ball up well and wins a throw-in.
That type of work from the AZ Alkmaar forward will be crucial if Ireland are to get any joy tonight.
IRELAND 1-0 PORTUGAL (PARROTT 17)
The stadium erupts as Ireland take the lead.
Scales heads a Cullen corner across the area, and Parrott is in the right place to nod it home.
Moments earlier, there were claims for a penalty, as the AZ star blocked the goalkeeper’s attempted pass before Costa committed a reckless challenge from behind, but the ref ignored Irish protests.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
21 mins: Neves tries his luck from distance.
But it’s a comfortable enough save by Kelleher.
Down the other end, Ogbene is seemingly impeded from running onto a Kelleher kick out, but the ref waves play on.
As I type, Ronaldo scuffs a goal attempt.
30 mins: Parrott makes a threatening run forward but is eventually robbed of possession.
That goal has really lifted the stadium — you can feel the energy go up a notch.
Meanwhile, Neves is the latest Portuguese player who has failed to hit the target with an attempt from distance.
35 mins: Good forward run by Ogbene.
He eventually wins a throw-in near the corner.
O’Brien’s subsequent delivery causes problems, and it falls to Parrott, who fails to get a proper connection on his shot.
37 mins: Half chance for Portugal.
A cross into the area finds Felix, but his header is over.
Moments later, Ireland break, and Ogbene is desperately unlucky to see his low shot come back off the post.
As I type, Azaz picks up a booking for an overzealous challenge.
39 mins: Ireland survive a few nervy moments, as they struggle to clear and put in a few last-ditch blocks.
Moments later, a ball delivered into the area falls to Dalot, who fires narrowly over the bar.
42 mins: Ireland continue to defend in numbers.
As I type, Portugal have every outfield player in the Irish half and the hosts are pinned back.
IRELAND 2-0 PORTUGAL (PARROTT 45)
Incredible scenes!
After another long spell of Portuguese pressure, O’Shea plays the ball forward for Parrott.
The striker gets away from the defender and beats the goalkeeper at his near post with a low shot.
The one minute of stoppage time has turned into over three.
There was a long pause after the goal.
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 2-0 PORTUGAL
I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard the Aviva this loud.
It’s been a brilliant smash-and-grab performance from Ireland.
They have defended solidly for much of the first half, much like they did in Lisbon.
The main difference on this occasion is that they have Troy Parrott in the starting XI, and the striker has shone with two well-taken goals.
The Boys in Green had just 29% possession in that first half, but still find themselves two goals to the good.
Portugal look rattled, but this game is far from over, as the visitors have more than enough quality players to mount a comeback.
The second half has begun…
Portugal make changes at the break.
Cancelo and Inácio go off.
Semedo and Veiga come on.
Here’s a look at Ireland’s second goal…
47 mins: Ireland breathe a sigh of relief.
Silva’s corner falls to Vitinha at the back post, but the PSG star doesn’t make proper contact, and his finish is wayward.
52 mins: The second half has continued in a similar pattern to the first.
Portugal are dominating possession and territory, while struggling to break down the Irish rearguard.
54 mins: Every Portugal miss is being loudly cheered now.
The latest effort sees Ronaldo attempt a shot from the edge of the area that drifts harmlessly wide after taking a deflection off a Portuguese player.
56 mins: Ireland have to be better in possession.
The Portuguese attacks are relentless, and the attackers need to give the defence a break.
RED CARD FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO!
61 mins: Remarkable stuff!
Ronaldo is initially booked for an off-the-ball dig at Dara O’Shea.
But the referee goes to the monitor and decides to change it to a red card.
63 mins: Portugal respond to that setback by making changes.
Leão and Trincão come on.
Silva and Félix go off.
64 mins: Ogbene has a low shot that is deflected out for a corner.
This is looking very promising for Ireland.
68 mins: Changes for Ireland.
Coventry is on for his debut, and Idah is also introduced.
Parrott and Taylor make way.
Bringing Idah on for his physicality and hold-up play is a sensible change.
But it’s hard to think of many better individual Irish striker performances in recent memory than Troy Parrott tonight.
Here’s a look at the Ronaldo red card…
71 mins: Dias plays a dangerous ball over the top.
But the header is a few inches wide, with O’Shea doing well to stop Leao from latching on to the ball at the far post.
75 mins: Ogbene finds Azaz on the edge of the area.
But the attacker’s shot is deflected out for a corner.
76 mins: A Cullen corner is played in and hits off Semedo’s arm.
But the referee adjudges it to be accidental.
78 mins: Another Portugal change.
Joao Neves is off, and Ramos comes on.
Moments earlier, Coleman did very well to win a free kick under pressure near the corner flag of the Irish area.
79 mins: Now Ireland make a change.
Azaz is replaced by Ebosele.
The Southampton star appeared to be carrying a bit of a knock, so it’s no surprise to see him depart.
50,717 has been confirmed as the official attendance.
81 mins: More cheers as Leao fails to properly control the ball and it goes out of play.
Every negative Portuguese moment is now being cheered vociferously by the home fans.
85 mins: O’Shea picks out Ogbene with a great pass.
But the attacker shoots a few inches wide from a tight angle.
It’s Ogbene’s last act, as he’s replaced by Johnston.
Another change sees Dunne come on for Scales.
86 mins: Coventry does well to block down Dalot’s goalbound shot, as Ireland frustrate Portugal again.
The atmosphere in the Aviva remains electric.
88 mins: Kelleher gets down well to save a low shot by Ramos.
Just a few more minutes for Ireland to hang on.
90 mins: Portugal concede possession cheaply. Johnston runs towards goal, but his shot is blocked down.
Seven minutes of stoppage time have been confirmed.
92 mins: It falls to Veiga on the edge of the area, and he blasts it over the bar.
It looks like this isn’t going to be Portugal’s night.
As I type, Neves’ powerful shot is caught by Kelleher.
Unsurprisingly, Parrott has just been announced as the player of the match.
94 mins: Ramos has been lively since coming on.
But his powerful effort from the edge of the area is a few inches wide.
Less than two minutes remain.
Portugal need a minor miracle now to avoid defeat.
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 2-0 PORTUGAL
What a night!
Ireland defy the odds to defeat Portugal, and for the third home qualifier in a row, their opponents finish the game with 10 men.
Troy Parrott was the star, with two clinical finishes.
But this was a gutsy and superb defensive display from the entire team.
They largely restricted the visitors to half-chances and pot shots from distance and were deserving of the victory ultimately.
Right, that’s all from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Stay tuned, though, as we’ll have plenty more reaction to follow.
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