Ireland face must-win game against Portugal

Ireland must beat Portugal in this evening’s concluding European Championship qualifier at Tallaght Stadium (6pm) to finish the campaign in third spot.

At the end of a qualification tilt which promised much but delivered another disappointing outcome, an improved performance and result would bode well for the next campaign, the World Cup qualifiers.

Portugal are the only team Ireland have beaten over the qualifiers apart from minnows Montenegro and since that result last October it’s been the Iberians who’ve gone on to challenge for progression into the expanded finals next year in the Netherlands.