Who: Eire vs Portugal
What: UEFA World Cup qualifier, Group F
The place: Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Eire
When: Thursday at 7:45pm (19:45 GMT)
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Unbeaten Portugal (3-1-0) will seal direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the event that they beat Eire of their penultimate Group F fixture on the Aviva Stadium.
Armed with a five-point lead, Roberto Martinez’s group are within the field seat to seal a seventh consecutive look at soccer’s world showpiece.
Eire (1-1-2), for his or her half, nonetheless have a mathematical likelihood to maintain their World Cup aspirations alive by inflicting an enormous upset on Thursday night time in opposition to an opponent that’s fifth within the FIFA world rankings.
They’re presently third within the group – however solely some extent behind second-placed Hungary with two matches nonetheless to play. Eire final certified for the World Cup in 2006.
Right here is all to find out about their Group F return conflict:
Present Group F standings (two fixtures remaining):
- Portugal – 10 factors (from 4 matches)
- Hungary – 5 factors (from 4 matches)
- Eire – 4 factors (from 4 matches)
- Armenia – 3 factors (from 4 matches)
How can Portugal and Eire nonetheless qualify for World Cup in Group F?
State of affairs 1:
Group leaders Portugal require a win in opposition to Eire to make sure direct World Cup qualification into subsequent 12 months’s match, which is being held in america, Canada and Mexico.
On this situation, Portugal would have 13 factors – an insurmountable lead over the opposite three groups within the group with only one match remaining.
State of affairs 2:
If Portugal have been to attract its remaining two fixtures in opposition to Eire and Armenia, they might additionally end prime of the Group F standings with 12 factors from six matches.
State of affairs 3:
If Portugal lose its remaining two matches in opposition to Eire and Armenia, and Hungary – which presently has 5 factors – wins its remaining two fixtures in opposition to Armenia and Eire, then Hungary would transfer prime of Group F with 11 factors vs Portugal’s 10 factors.
If Eire win their remaining two video games, and Portugal lose their remaining two video games, then the groups can be stage on 10 factors on the prime of the standings with the group winner being determined by objective distinction.
All 12 group winners in Europe qualify instantly for the World Cup whereas the runners-up go on to the playoffs for the remaining finals locations going down in March.
What occurred in Portugal’s final match in opposition to Hungary?
Portugal have been getting ready to punching their ticket to the World Cup as they led Hungary 2-1 in stoppage time in Lisbon, realizing a win would affirm first place in Group F.
Nonetheless, Hungary snatched a late draw when Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai completed from shut vary in harm time.
What occurred the final time Portugal performed Eire?
The groups final performed on October 11 in Lisbon.
Portugal’s Ruben Neves scored a stoppage-time objective to grab a dramatic 1-0 house win in Group F after his teammate Ronaldo had a penalty saved earlier within the match as Eire threatened to carry the unbeaten hosts to a draw.
Is the 2026 World Cup Ronaldo’s final main worldwide match?
Sure. With Portugal on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup, Ronaldo confirmed the match in North America will probably be his swansong on soccer’s largest stage.
“Undoubtedly, sure, as a result of I will probably be 41 years outdated [at the World Cup],” mentioned Ronaldo, who can be the highest scorer in historical past with 143 worldwide targets.
“I gave every little thing for soccer. I’ve been within the sport for the final 25 years. I did every little thing. I’ve many data within the totally different situations within the golf equipment and likewise within the nationwide groups.
“I’m actually proud. So let’s benefit from the second, reside the second.”
Head-to-head
That is solely the 18th assembly between the European sides with Portugal successful 10 and Eire successful 4.
Eire’s final win got here in a pleasant in 2005, courtesy of Andy O’Brien’s solitary strike in Dublin. There have been 4 subsequent matches, of which Portugal have received three.
Eire’s final aggressive win in opposition to Portugal got here in a European Championships qualifier in 1995.
The fixture dates again to 1946 and commenced with a 3-1 house win for Portugal in a pleasant.
Portugal’s kind
W-W-W-W-D (most up-to-date consequence final)
Eire’s kind
D-D-L-L-W (most up-to-date consequence final)
Portugal group information
Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has withdrawn from Martinez’s squad after he suffered a groin harm in his aspect’s 3-0 Premier League victory over Wolves on Saturday. Rafael Leao is the more than likely substitute for Neto.
Sporting Lisbon midfielder Pedro Goncalves can be out for a month after an undisclosed harm enjoying in opposition to Santa Clara on the weekend.
“[I’m] out of those subsequent two video games and never having the ability to be current within the World Cup qualifiers. One thing I at all times dreamed of was representing the Nationwide Group, and never having the ability to go hurts. Now it’s time to get well correctly, although I’m not doing what I like probably the most! Thanks to the group for the hassle till the tip! We nonetheless have loads to realize,” Goncalves wrote on social media.
Ronaldo, who has but to attain away to Eire in 4 profession conferences, will lead the road for Portugal.
Eire group information
In an enormous blow to Eire’s probabilities, star striker Evan Ferguson is out of the Portugal fixture with an ankle subject and is unsure for his or her remaining World Cup match in opposition to Hungary, which can determine who finishes second in Group F.
Supervisor Heimir Hallgrimsson will even be with out three different injured regulars within the squad: Callum O’Dowda (minor knock), Mark Sykes (shin) and Sammie Szmodics (knee).
Ryan Manning and Jayson Molumby are serving one match suspensions.
Predicted beginning lineups:
Eire: Kelleher (goalkeeper); O’Brien, O’Shea, Collins; Coleman, Cullen, Taylor, Johnston; Ebosele, Azaz; Parrott
Portugal: Costa (goalkeeper); Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Fernandes, Vitinha, Neves, Bernardo, Ronaldo, Leao
What the coaches needed to say:
Hallgrimsson:
“If Armenia wins or there’s a draw, a win in Hungary is sufficient for us, so that’s two of 4 situations for us,” the Eire supervisor mentioned.
“If Hungary win, we want a minimum of a draw, but when they win by two or three targets, we are going to want a draw [against Portugal] and win by perhaps three targets away in Hungary.
“We’ll know what we want on this sport in opposition to Portugal earlier than we kick off, which is a profit to us, but it surely doesn’t change how we begin and play the sport, however could must take calculated dangers as the sport progresses.”
Martinez:
“November is at all times a troublesome stage. Even so, our focus is on qualifying for the World Cup. … We now have to enhance, particularly within the remaining 20 minutes of video games,” Portugal’s supervisor mentioned.
