Cristiano Ronaldo made history by flooring Ireland with an injury-time winner and beamed: “It’s a special moment.”
But the late brace that makes him the greatest international goal scorer of all time left Ireland boss Stephen Kenny ‘devastated’ in Faro.
Ireland were leading 1-0 with a minute to play before Ronaldo stole the show and Kenny said: “We’re gutted and I’m gutted for the players as they were heroic.
“Our lead didn’t flatter us. We were only a minute away from what would have been the best victory in Ireland's qualification history, away from home.
“What the players left out there, they have given everything of themselves and it’s a tough one to lose. We are devastated but we have to work hard to improve.”
Kenny continued: “Winning here would have been unique but I don’t know anyone else who could have scored that second Ronaldo header. It was incredible.”
Ronaldo missed an early penalty after Gavin Bazunu clawed his effort to safety but the new Manchester United signing said: “It’s part of the game, part of the business.
“Sometimes you score and sometimes you miss. But I still believed until the end of the game and I’m so glad to score and to win the game.”
And Ronaldo continued: ““I'm very happy, not only because I beat the record, but for the special moments that we had.
“Two goals at the end of the game is so tough, but I have to appreciate what the team did until the end. I’m very glad for the supporters.”
John Egan’s headed goal just before half-time had Ireland on track for a famous win but Portugal were relentless in their pursuit of goals.
Kenny said: "We were very brave in the first-half in possession, we passed it really well, counter-attacked really well.
“Everything we wanted to happen happened, in terms of Aaron Connoly and Adam Idah's pace on the counter attack.
“We didn't have many chances, only one chance in the first-half really, but we were comfortable.
“In the second-half it was harder for us, we had to suffer a bit, we had a lot of possession and missed some good chances on the break ourselves.
“Portugal are a brilliant team, really high quality, but we're hugely disappointed. The players have been exceptional tonight overall.
“We had to dig in and defend heroically. We just can't believe that we lost it, we should have won it. We were two minutes away.
“The free kick that is given, for them to shoot wide, is incredible. These are the things you sometimes have to accept.
“When you have to win away, you have to win against the odds in their hometown. The players were magnificent overall, their efforts were something to be proud of.
“Technically they were brave on the ball and put their bodies on the line. You can't ask any more and to lose is so difficult for them at the moment."
Defender Dara O’Shea came off with an ankle injury and is now a doubt for Saturday’s clash with Azerbaijan and Tuesday’s game against Serbia.
And Kenny revealed that Matt Doherty was feeling unwell throughout the second-half and will be assessed tomorrow.
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