Brendan O'Brien: Portugal task suited the Irish psyche but at least this is a foundation

Ireland have confounded all expectations this last two games. For ill and for good.

Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland in action against Renato Veiga of Portugal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Always look to the losing dressing-room for the killer lines. When Portugal lost a Euro ‘96 qualifier to Ireland in Dublin 30 years ago, the visiting manager Antonio Oliveira’s framing of the experience was pure poetry.

“I consider this defeat to be the mother of future victories,” he explained.