LIVEPortugal v Republic of Ireland, World Cup qualifier, live minute-by-minute updates
Ireland's Jayson Molumby frustarted as his shot sails over. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.
63mins Ireland sub: Mikey Johnston on for Festy Ebosele, who looked either wrecked or he picked up a slight knock. The Irish fans singing Festy as he makes his way past them in the upper tier and towards the bench.
Roberto Martinez ringing the changes. Four subs coming on. Dalot, Inacio, Vitinha and Neto off, Semedo, Leao, Trincao and Veiga on.
Kelleher makes another good save to deny Neves.
Ebosele loses the ball and Portugal break. Ruben Neves leads the charge and shoots under no pressure from distance but Kelleher makes a good save.
Good break down the left by Manning, he has help from Ogbene but the Cork native fails to create a chance or at least win a corner.
Loud whistles as Kelleher takes his time over a kick out.
Much closer that time from Ronaldo. Ireland fails to clear their lines and his touch and shot goes narrowly wide. Big let off for Ireland. Can't keep giving him chances.
Ronaldo goes for goal from distance but he drags his effort well wide of the right post.
Ronaldo rises highest but under pressure from Collins his header drops wide. The fans almost assumed it was going to be a goal.
Perhaps the most surprising statistic of that first half was Portugal having only 56% possession.
Ireland’s penchant for eking out valuable draws away from home tended to be achieved despite hardly having control of the ball but that’s not been the case in Lisbon.
Neat interplay between the returning Séamus Coleman and Festy Ebosele was a feature of that opening 45 and it wasn’t a case of Ireland being swamped in midfield. So too was bravery and blocks inside the box by Ireland.
Maintaining concentration in such humid conditions as the hosts attack in waves will determine whether Ireland can snare a result to revive their World Cup prospects that looked doomed after only two games.
Goalmouth scramble but Coleman gets the ball clear from danger.
SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY!
A big cheer goes up from the away end, good half that by Ireland. Portugal have had their moments, which was always going to be the case given their quality, but Ireland have dealt with it well. Should've caused them more problems on the counter though, something to improve on in the second half.
Collins with a sensational block to stop Bernardo Silva scoring a certain goal.
Bruno Fernandes' dipping shot is smothered by Kelleher.
Ogbene blasts over from a tight angle but the flag soon goes up. Good play again by Coleman, rolling back the years here.
Brilliant save by Kelleher. Fernandes clips his corner to the near post but Kelleher punches away the flick on.
Portugal win another corner, but Bruno Fernandes was trying to win a penalty.
That corner also comes to nothing, Ireland dealing well with Portugal's set pieces. Then they break but it ends with Cullen deciding to go backwards when he had acres of space to run into.
Portugal corner comes to nothing but they have another one now after a shot from Vitinha takes a whicked deflection and drops over the bar.
Looked like Ronaldo was eyeing up a bicycle kick there, eventhough the ball was miles above his head. To be fair he scored one like that in the past.
Portugal send a long-range strike wide of the near post shortly before Ebosele overhits a pass to Ferguson who had peeled away from his marker. Half a chance, that.
Portugal struggling to break through Ireland's often 5-4-1 shape. A number of times they've tried an incredibly difficult clipped pass over the top and it's ran through to Kelleher.
Brilliant crossfield pass over the top by Coleman almost picks out Ogbene in the box. Great defending though by Dalot.
Looked like a decent chance their for Ronaldo but he can't generate enough power on his header, he also directed it wide of the far post. Well wide, in fairness.
25 minutes in and so far, so steady for Ireland in Lisbon.
Bar the one scare when Cristiano Ronaldo had his first stab at goal, which crashed off the post and was scuffed wide by Bernardo Silva on the rebound, it’s been an even contest.
Selecting five at the back was designed to narrows space between the third and the free-flowing passages Portuguese are renowned for have been scarce.
Chiedozie Ogbene and Festy Ebosele are provided the support to Evan Ferguson and the trio have gotten some joy on occasions without managing to test Diogo Costa so far.
Jayson Molumby, restored to the squad and the team, went closest with a shot which cleared the crossbar by a yard.
A couple of free-kicks have been launched into the box to no avail but we await the first opportunity for Jake O’Brien to threaten from his long throw.
Touch and hit from distance by Jayson Molumby, sails over the bar.
The fans rise to applause Diogo Jota, this is their first match at home since he and his brother Andre Silva tragically passed away.
Diogo wore 21 for Portugal.
Festy Ebosele is booked. Nathan Collins, Josh Cullen and Evan Ferguson came into this match on a yellow card meaning if they get booked tonight they will miss the Armenia match on Tuesday.
He's really unlucky there, Ronaldo. His shot from the edge of the box hits the far right post. Bernardo Silva then seems to have an easy tap in but he scuffs it wide of the open goal. Let off for Ireland.
Mexican wave currently going around the stadium. Does that mean they are bored? Does that mean Ireland have started well? Maybe.
Dangerous cross by Festy Ebosele is claimed by the keeper under pressure. He attempts to get Portugal going on the counter but his long pass goes out of play.
Looked like Evan Ferguson could be in there but Ruben Dias does brilliantly to head an awkward bouncing ball over the striker before passing to a teammate.
Great work by Coleman down the right wins Ireland a throw-in. He has started well, the birthday boy. 37 years young today.
Ireland not afraid to go long but they could do with Evan Ferguson winning more of his duels.
Bruno Fernandes turns on the edge of the penalty area but blasts his effort well wide.
Large cheer everytime Ronaldo touches the ball.
Seamus Coleman has started well, as have Ireland. Looking composed in possession, despite the boos from the home crowd.
The Fields of Athenry rings out from the away end, 2,500 or so Irish fans here tonight.
Ireland clear the short corner and Ogbene looks to race clear but he turns back and keeps possession.
Portugal win an early corner.
7.46pm Ireland to get us underway.
The stadium is rocking, feels like a huge occasion for the home team. Ireland in the huddle now after Portugal break away from theirs.
Two great renditions of the national anthems there, check them out on our Instagram page, in our stories.
The teams are now out on the pitch, time for the national anthems. Here is how Ireland seem to be lining up.
C Kelleher; S Coleman, J O’Brien, N Collins, D O’Shea, R Manning; J Molumby, J Cullen; F Ebosele; C Ogbene; E Ferguson.
The teams are in the tunnel.
Just 10 minutes now until kick-off, big night this for Ireland. And Portugal, who are playing their first home game of the campaign.
I was one of the fortunate 3,000 or so people allowed into the match in Faro between Portugal and Ireland during Covid times. This is much better
Portugal have returned to the dressing room to a chorus of "Hey baby" from the crowd. Ireland are still out doing extra shooting practice.
John Fallon reports from the Estádio José Alvalade just before kick-off. He will also provide regular updates in this liveblog so stay tuned.
Our reporter @JFallonExaminer looks ahead to Portugal vs Ireland pic.twitter.com/PU8unUaE9c
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) October 11, 2025
They seem to be doing a good job building up the atmosphere. Don't think that's good news for Ireland.
For videos from the stadium, feel free to follow us on Instagram and on Twitter.
Not the best of receptions for the Irish team pic.twitter.com/OExR4nbN4f
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) October 11, 2025
Full time in Budapest and it has finished; Hungary 2 Armenia 0. Bit of a blow already for Ireland's hopes of finishing second.
One for the Kerry fans. Right, I must get a quick cup of tea despite the heat here. I will be providing regular updates from 7pm.
No Patrick Horgan flag spotted in Lisbon yet! pic.twitter.com/NmLGlgpMvc
— Andrew Horgan (@AndrewHorgan) October 11, 2025
And the Ireland team has just been announced, few interesting decisions made by Heimir Hallgrimsson,which you can read about below.
Boa noite. Welcome one and all to our liveblog from the warm and sunny Estádio José Alvalade.
My name is Andrew Horgan and I am currently in the press box at the home of Sporting Lisbon for the Republic of Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier against Portugal.
With one point from their opening two games, Ireland could do with a positive result here to keep their hopes of reaching the finals in North America alive.
That will be a huge ask though given the calibre of the opposition, with Portugal looking to make it three wins out of three.
In the other game in the group it is currently Hungary 0 Armenia 0 which also adds some significance to this fixture.
Kick-off is at 7:45pm so until then, feel free to enjoy the best of our preview pieces below.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
