Ireland World Cup Talking Points: Bruno Fernandes and Irish duo to miss Dublin clash

Back three to the future? And when Portugal came to draw.

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025 - 07:29

Paul Kelly

Bruno Fernandes will miss Portugal's crunch clash against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin next month.

The attacking midfielder (25 goals in 84 senior caps) has incurred a one-match suspension after being booked for the second time in Group F during Portugal's 2-2 draw with Hungary in Lisbon on Tuesday night.

Fernandes has been surprisingly muted in this campaign, contributing neither a goal nor an assist in four matches.

Ireland's 15 yellow cards, three suspensions

Both Ryan Manning and Jayson Molumby will be absent from the showdown in Dublin after seeing yellow against Armenia. Only eight teams in the European qualifying zone have a poorer disciplinary record than Ireland, who had Josh Cullen suspended for Tuesday night's 1-0 win.

The loss of Manning, whose left-footed deliveries are now a key part of Ireland's play, is a serious blow.

With Robbie Brady injured long-term and the out-of-favour Matt Doherty currently recovering from wrist surgery, Heimir Hallgrimsson might use Liam Scales at left-back against Portugal.
Ireland's tally of yellow cards includes bookings for coaches Paddy McCarthy and John O'Shea.

Back three to the future?

Hallgrimsson dispensed with a back three after his first match in charge, when O'Shea was influential in the approach adopted against England in Dublin.

He used a back four in nine of Ireland's next ten matches before switching to a hybrid back three in Armenia, and a flat back five away to Portugal.

On Tuesday night it was 3-4-2-1. Hallgrimsson has started with twin strikers only twice in 14 matches, leaving Evan Ferguson to carry a heavy load.

When Portugal came to draw

Four years ago Portugal were happy to take a point in Dublin (0-0), confident that avoiding defeat at home to Serbia three days later would book their ticket to the World Cup finals in Qatar.

But Serbia scored a last-minute winner in Lisbon to top the group, consigning Fernando Santos' to the play-off path.

Current head coach Roberto Martinez is likely to be more ambitious in his approach at the Aviva Stadium next month.