Time to sign off – I’ll leave you with Paul Doyle’s report on a positive night for the hosts, and we’ll have a roundup of all the other action online shortly. Thanks for joining me, and goodnight.
Here’s Callum Robinson: “That proves how far we’ve come as a group, we had a few half-chances but we’ve shown we can compete with the best players. To get a draw with the fans here was an amazing feeling – we dug in deep, and on another night we might have got something more. We needed to be sensible though, with the players they have.”
So, a good night’s work for Ireland? Yes, all things considered – bar a couple of chances for Ronaldo, they kept Portugal quiet and played some nice stuff. That said, as Phil Babb has pointed out, this wasn’t a vintage Portugal display. Sunday’s trip to Luxembourg might give a better idea of how much Ireland have improved recently.
“Nice to see CR7 pick up man of the match,” notes Gary Byrne. He’s talking, of course, about Callum Robinson, who was very good and clearly got to Pepe – which admittedly, is not necessarily that difficult.
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Full time: Romania 0-0 Iceland
And finally, disappointment for Romania who needed a win to move into the play-off spot before their final game against Liechtenstein. North Macedonia will finish second in Group I if they can beat Iceland at home on Sunday.
Full time: Germany 9-0 Liechtenstein
It started badly and got worse for Liechtenstein, who went down to 10 men after just 10 minutes. Müller and Sané got a couple each, and already-qualified Germany take their tally to 32 goals in nine games.
Full time: Greece 0-1 Spain
Pablo Sarabia’s penalty lifts Spain above Sweden in Group B, ahead of their Seville showdown on Sunday. That win also rubber-stamps Wales’ place in the play-offs, thanks to their Nations League performance. Rob Page’s side still have work to do to finish second in their group and earn a home play-off draw.
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Full time: Malta 1-7 Croatia
Croatia comfortably get the result they need. Now for a winner-takes-all meeting with Russia on Sunday.
Elsewhere in Group H, it finished Slovakia 2-2 Slovenia, both teams staying level on 11 points, miles behind the top two.
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Full time: Republic of Ireland 0-0 Portugal
Ronaldo has a chance to nick the win – but with Félix waiting in the middle, he goes for goal and Bazunu saves! Having done it all himself throughout the game, he probably earned the right to have a shot. And that’s full time!
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Ooooof, Matt Doherty has the ball in the net – but the whistle had blown for Will Keane’s foul on Rui Patrício. The keeper will be relieved, having wandered from his goal in search of an awful, ballooned clearance from Fonte. Portugal living dangerously ...
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Moutinho’s free kick sails harmlessly into Bazunu’s arms. If anyone in the Lansdowne Road area has some end product, could they pop down to the stadium, please?
Spain are close to getting the job done in Athens, still holding on to that 1-0 lead. In Wolfsburg, Müller gets his second before a second Liechtenstein OG makes it 9-0.
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Five added minutes for Ireland to find a winner, and they’re bringing Will Keane on for his debut! The impressive Chiedozie Ogbene is replaced.
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Back in Dublin, where Ireland have their opponents pinned back with two minutes to go. A late concession would be costly for Portugal – they would need to win in Lisbon against Serbia, rather than draw.
GOAL! Germany 7-0 Liechtenstein (Baku 80')
Two more goals in quick succession, with Thomas Müller getting their sixth before wing-back Ridle Baku scores on his home ground, curling into the top corner! That’s his first goal for Germany.
Pepe’s red card is bad news for Rafael Leão, who is subbed off after just 27 minutes of action, in order for José Fonte to shore up the defence.
Red card! Ireland 0-0 Portugal (Pepe)
Pepe, booked a few moments ago, swings an arm at Robinson and gets a second yellow! Dear me. Portugal are down to 10 men, and Pepe will be suspended for the final game against Serbia. What was he thinking?
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Two more changes from Stephen Kenny, with Conor Hourihane on for Hendrick and James McClean replacing Enda Stevens. Ronaldo fires a half-volley a foot wide of the far post. He looks the best (only) chance of a late goal in this game.
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Slovakia are level against Slovenia, David Strelec with the equaliser. Otherwise, it’s a bit quiet. And by a bit, I mean extremely. Spain still lead 1-0 in Athens; Romania still need a goal at home to Iceland.
Leão’s first involvement comes down the left, where his cross finds André Silva, whose header is charged down. That’s the forward’s last act of the game, he’s replaced by João Félix. Bruno Fernandes, who I had forgotten was playing, is off too with Renato Sanches coming on.
The first free kick is cleared, but Pepe handles the ball and is booked. This time, Cullen’s long-range delivery is headed back across goal by Duffy, but is collected by Rui Patricio.
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Ogbene links up with Idah and bursts past Danilo, who is booked for a cynical trip. One of these players is at Rotherham, the other at PSG. It’s hard to tell, honestly.
Very, very close from Ronaldo, who skims a header an inch past Bazunu’s far post! Soon after, some absolute clown or other gets on the field and tries to make a beeline for Ronaldo, but security intervene. There was a similar incident earlier in Georgia, involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic. All very depressing.
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It’s also all happening in Trnava, where Slovenia concede a penalty, see Miha Blazic sent off, watch Ondrej Duda convert for Slovakia – and then retake the lead through Miha Mevija! It’s Slovakia 1-2 Slovenia.
By the way, a fun fact about these two nations – their US embassies meet up every couple of months to exchange wrongly addressed letters. Whether their FAs have a similar problem, I can’t say.
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Croatia have really turned it on since Brozovic’s blunder left them just 2-1 up. It’s now 7-1, with Majer striking again after Andrej Kramaric got on the scoresheet.
“Re: Fernando Santos won’t be too pleased thus far. How would we know?” asks Justin Kavanagh. “The man has never smiled in his life. He is the Frank Stapleton of Portuguese football.”
A first change for Ireland, with Jamie McGrath replaced by Norwich’s Adam Idah, who is more of a traditional centre-forward.
In tonight’s African qualifiers, Senegal grabbed a late equaliser in Togo after Sadio Mané went off with a rib injury. Thanks to Joe Pearson for keeping us updated on events in Lomé. South Africa held on to beat Zimbabwe 1-0; they lead Ghana by three points with the two sides meeting in Accra on Sunday.
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In Burnley, it finished England U21 3-1 Czech Republic U21, with Folarin Balogun getting England’s third.
The first two changes for Portugal, with Milan’s Rafael Leão replacing Guedes, and Nunes replaced by João Moutinho. A draw is acceptable for them tonight, but Fernando Santos won’t be too pleased thus far.
Coleman is booked for a trip on Ronaldo, who then lines up the free kick and fires it into the wall – before protesting that it struck Duffy’s arm. Replays suggest it only did so after a richochet off his head.
Oof, Nunes is a lucky boy here – he slips in the area but there are enough bodies behind him to block Robinson’s path to goal. Instead he plays it back to Josh Cullen, whose effort is saved by Rui Patrício.
A fifth goal for Croatia in Malta, Rennes midfielder Lovro Majer finishing on the rebound. And a fifth for Germany too, Leroy Sané with his second of the night!
Ireland are happy enough to sit back with Portugal on the ball, the visitors looking short of a cutting edge against three experienced centre-backs. Dalot tries to whip a cross over all three of them, but Guedes can’t connect at the far post.
The second half begins!
Back under way in Dublin, and everywhere else.
The Premier League has announced next season’s schedule, which includes a six-week hiatus for the 2022 World Cup, which kicks off on 13 November. The league will resume on Boxing Day – the Barclays, you are spoiling us.
Other half-time scores
It’s Malta 1-4 Croatia – Luka Modric adding a fourth just before half-time – and Slovakia 0-1 Slovenia in Group H.
In Group J, Germany lead 10-man Liechtenstein 4-0, and it’s Romania 0-0 Iceland in Bucharest.
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Half time! Greece 0-1 Spain
Pablo Sarabia’s penalty has Luis Enrique’s side on course to top Group B, meaning a draw at home to Sweden on Sunday will be enough to qualify.
Half time! Ireland 0-0 Portugal
Portugal end the half on the ball, but they haven’t found it easy against Ireland, who have been organised and offered a threat on the break.
The free kick leads to a bit of head tennis, with Semedo doing well to deny Hendrick. Robinson recycles the ball, and his dangerous cross is headed over by Ogbene!
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Robinson is fouled some 30 yards out by Matheus Nunes, who is making his third appearance for Portugal after a tug-of-war with the country of his birth, Brazil. Imagine turning down Brazil! Anyway ...
GOAL! Malta 1-3 Croatia (Pasalic)
Mario Pasalic restores Croatia’s two-goal cushion. They’re on track to face Russia at home on Sunday two points behind, knowing a win will send them to Qatar.
Sky have noted that Ireland have their own CR7 in Callum Robinson – he’s certainly causing some problems, winning a corner after some touchline trickery. Nothing comes of it and the original CR7 (if not the original Ronaldo) almost picks out Guedes with a through ball.
GOAL! Malta 1-2 Croatia (Brozovic og 31')
Malta get on the scoresheet, thanks to a spectacular own goal from Marcelo Brozovic, who needlessly tries to clear acrobatically and succeeds only in sending the ball in off his own face. Shades of Chris Brass.
Spain’s penalty was awarded when Giannoulis’ boot connected with the knee of Iñigo Martínez. The referee was advised to check the VAR monitor and after a second look, said thanks, but I’m sticking with it.
It’s getting a little heated now, with Ogbene booked for raising an arm to Danilo – replays suggest the Portuguese player made a meal of it. Ronaldo is still muttering to himself, grass stuck to his face in the Sunday league style.
Back to Dublin, where Matt Doherty climbs awkwardly above Ronaldo and leaves him in a crumpled heap – moments after the forward was caught out by *checks notes* a Shane Duffy Cruyff turn? Anyway, appeals for a penalty are waved away, and at the other end, Callum Robinson draws a save from Rui Patrício.
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GOAL! Greece 0-1 Spain (Sarabia pen 28')
Spain have the goal they need to go top of Group B, Pablo Sarabia converting from the penalty spot.
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Time to drop the key event for every goal, I think – Germany have scored a couple more already. Leroy Sané and Marco Reus on target, and they lead Liechtenstein 4-0.
Meanwhile, Slovenia lead Slovakia 1-0, in a game with nothing more on the line than Slovian pride.
GOAL! Malta 0-2 Croatia (Caleta-Car 23')
Some breathing space for Croatia, as Duje Caleta-Car grabs their second goal.
GOAL! Germany 2-0 Liechtenstein (Kaufmann og 20)
A second goal for Germany, Liechtenstein’s Daniel Kaufmann with an own goal. Lads, you really aren’t helping yourselves.
Drama in Ta’Qali as Andrej Kramaric fires in a second for Croatia – only for VAR to intervene. Then at the other end, Malta level! Or not, as it’s correctly ruled offside. It stays 1-0 to the visitors.
Ronaldo is picked out by Gonçalo Guedes, but his low shot is blocked. At the other end, Rui Patrício has to race off his line to cover a defensive lapse. In other news, the audio commentary is slightly ahead of the pictures, which is making for an uncomfortable viewing experience.
GOAL! Germany 1-0 Liechtenstein (Gundogan pen 10)
This was a tough enough assignment with 11 men, but Jens Hofer’s red card for a clumsy foul is extremely bad news for Liechtenstein. Ilkay Gundogan converts the spot-kick, and Germany are up and running.
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Ronaldo slices through the home defence with that trademark shuffling gallop, but fires into the side netting from a narrow angle. In Athens, Spain are dominating possession without testing the Greek back line, which is altogether unsurprising.
GOAL! Malta 0-1 Croatia (Perisic 6')
It didn’t take long for Croatia to get ahead in Malta, where Ivan Perisic has struck after six minutes.
It’s been a lively start from the hosts, with hefty challenges flying in. Pepe clears under pressure from a corner, and Shane Duffy’s header almost lands at the feet of Callum Robinson.
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Before kick-off in Dublin, both sets of players take the knee, greeted by warm applause from the 52,000 spectators in attendance.
Joe Pearson provides a worrying update for Liverpool fans. “Mané’s been taken off with 10 minutes to go in the first half! I hate internationals!”
National anthem time in Dublin, so here’s a quick reminder of the reverse fixture, where Gavin Bazunu saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty, over for him to score two late goals, earning Portugal a 2-1 victory and a piece of history for himself:
Joe Pearson emails in, subject line “Togo v Senegal”. You have my attention, Joe.
“Still 0-0 in Lomé, but it is pelting down with rain. Sadio Mané was involved in a clash of some kind and had to get his ribs wrapped on the sideline. Liverpool fan here, not liking that.”
Senegal have already secured their place in the final African stage of qualifying, where 10 teams will play two-legged play-offs for five places. Mali won their group today, while South Africa are on course to edge out Ghana; they lead Zimbabwe 1-0.
Two more helpings of team news, including from Malta where Croatia need a win to keep Russia in sight. Anything less, and the 2018 hosts will be off to Qatar.
Malta v Croatia
Malta: Bonello, Shaw, Agius, Pepe, Attard, Kristensen, Teuma, Camenzuli, Joseph Mbong, Montebello, Degabriele.
Subs: Caruana, Jake Grech, Micallef, Galea, Matthew Grech, Guillaumier, Vella, Pisani, Portelli, Satariano, Dimech, Paul Mbong.
Croatia: Grbic, Juranovic, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Pasalic, Majer, Kramaric, Perisic.
Subs: Orsic, Stanisic, Livaja, Ivanusec, Vida, Lovren, Livakovic, Vlasic, Sluga, Jakic.
Romania v Iceland
Romania: Nita, Ratiu, Chiriches, Nedelcearu, Tosca, Cicaldau, Marin, Stanciu, Hagi, Alibec, Tanase.
Subs: Manea, Vlad, Aioani, Puscas, Morutan, Burca, Rus, Ivan, Nedelcu, Maxim, Bancu, Man.
Iceland: Elias Olafsson, Sampsted, Brynjar Ingi Bjarnason, Gretarsson, Skulason, Johannesson, Birkir Bjarnason, Thordarson, Albert Gudmundsson, Sveinn Gudjohnsen, Thorsteinsson.
Subs: Runarsson, Helgason, Baldursson, Ellertsson, Andri Gudjohnsen, Traustason, Gunnarsson, Saevarsson, Thorarinsson, Isak Oli Olafsson, Leifsson, Thrandarson.
Speaking of which, Stephen Kenny’s side are already out of contention in Group A, but the first full house at the Aviva Stadium since the Covid-19 pandemic began should be motivation enough. The manager has overseen a big improvement since that home defeat to Luxembourg.
“It is important that we bring calm to our play and bring a level of composure to our play,” Kenny said. “We need to have that element of calm in our play even when we are pressed high ... we must have the courage to play out. We must not be fearful in that regard.”
“Your movement off the ball has to be of a high level. You have to play with intelligence and try to have some sort of control on the game. Hopefully we can get a cutting edge after that. We have to earn the right to do that first.”
“Hubris leaving João Cancelo and Rúben Dias on the bench,” notes Niall O’Keeffe. “Ireland’s night.”
More team news, starting in Wolfsburg ...
Germany v Liechtenstein
Germany: Neuer, Hofmann, Kehrer, Rudiger, Gunter, Goretzka, Gundogan, Baku, Reus, Sane, Muller.
Subs: Raum, Nmecha, Neuhaus, Leno, Arnold, Ginter, Volland, Brandt, Trapp, Draxler, Tah.
Liechtenstein: Benjamin Buchel, Sandro Wolfinger, Malin, Kaufmann, Hofer, Goppel, Sele, Frommelt, Hasler, Salanovic, Yanik Frick.
Subs: Lo Russo, Noah Frick, Spirig, Kollmann, Yildiz, Meier, Kardesoglu, Armando Majer, Brandle, Martin Buchel, Fabio Wolfinger, Grunenfelder.
Slovakia v Slovenia
Slovakia: Rodak, Pekarik, Satka, Skriniar, Holubek, Lobotka, Mak, Bero, Hamsik, Haraslin, Almasi.
Subs: De Marco, Koscelnik, Strelec, Jirka, Suslov, Rusnak, Duda, Hromada, Dubravka, Bozenik, Kuciak.
Slovenia: Oblak, Stojanovic, Blazic, Mevlja, Balkovec, Lovric, Stulac, Zajc, Ilicic, Sporar, Verbic.
Subs: Vekic, Karic, Elsnik, Rogelj, Karnicnik, Tijanic, Belec, Vuckic, Celar, Kouter, Vrhovec.
There’s a big qualifier for England Under-21s going on at Turf Moor tonight. Everton’s Anthony Gordon has struck twice early on to put them 2-0 up against group leaders Czech Republic, although the first may go down as an own goal after taking a big deflection.
Team news: Greece v Spain
Greece (5-3-2): Vlachodimos, Androutsos, Goutas, Tzavelas, Tsimikas, Giannoulis; Siopis, Bouchalakis, Mandalos (c); Masouras, Pavlidis.
Subs: Athanasiadis, Alexandropoulos, Douvikas, Vrousai, Saliakas, Kyriakopoulos, Pelkas, Paschalakis, Limnios, Mitoglou, Tzolis.
Spain (4-3-3): Unai Simón; Carvajal, Iñigo Martínez, Laporte, Gayà; Gavi, Rodri, Koke (c); De Tomás, Morata, Sarabia.
Subs: De Gea, Sánchez, Fornals, Soler, Olmo, Torres, Rodrigo, Busquets, Mendez, Jordi Alba, Azpilicueta, Brahim Díaz.
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
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Séamus Coleman returns to captain Ireland in a back three, with Enda Stevens coming in as a wing-back alongside Matt Doherty. St Mirren’s Jamie McGrath and Rotherham’s Chiedozie Ogbene also earn starts and will support Callum Robinson up front.
Inevitably, Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Portugal along with Manchester United colleagues Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot. Five players on yellow cards, including Diogo Jota and Rúben Dias, are kept on the bench.
Team news: Ireland v Portugal
Republic of Ireland (3-4-3): Bazunu; Coleman (c), Duffy, Egan; Doherty, Cullen, Hendrick, Stevens; Ogbene, Robinson, McGrath.
Subs: Knight, Collins, Keane, Idah, Parrott, McClean, Manning, Kelleher, O’Dowda, Travers, Hourihane, Browne.
Portugal (4-3-3): Rui Patrício; Nelson Semedo, Pepe, Danilo Pereira, Dalot; João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Bruno Fernandes; Ronaldo (c), André Silva, Gonçalo Guedes.
Subs: José Sa, Leão, Carvalho, Costa, Cancelo, João Félix, Fonte, Neves, Moutinho, Sanches, Dias, Jota.
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)
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Four Uefa qualifiers kicked off at 5pm (GMT) and there are some significant results – not least in Batumi, where Group B leaders Sweden lost 2-0 Georgia. That very much hands the advantage to Spain, with the two sides meeting in Seville on Sunday.
Russia walloped Cyprus 4-0 in St Petersburg, so Croatia will need to beat Malta tonight and win Sunday’s eliminator against Russia in Split. North Macedonia’s 5-0 victory in Armenia leaves them in a two-horse race with Romania for a play-off place, and Luxembourg are on course to finish third in Group A; they beat 10-man Azerbaijan 3-1.
Preamble
Hello. Nobody really remembers when they started but after just 17 international breaks this season, the European qualifiers for World Cup 2022 are approaching their end game. Sort of. There are still group games to be played, not to mention those pesky play-offs in March, but some things can be settled tonight.
Portugal need at least a draw in Dublin to edge top of Group A before their decisive meeting with Serbia on Sunday. Neighbours Spain might have to settle for the play-offs if they fail to beat Greece in Athens tonight. In Group H, Russia will qualify in the (admittedly unlikely) event that Croatia fail to beat Malta.
In Group J, Romania need a result against Iceland to take control of the play-off spot. Germany have already booked their flights to Qatar and can enjoy themselves in Wolfsburg with Liechtenstein the lambs to the slaughter. Here are the 7.45pm (GMT) kick-offs:
Group A Republic of Ireland v Portugal
Group B Greece v Spain
Group H Malta v Croatia; Slovakia v Slovenia
Group J Germany v Liechtenstein; Romania v Iceland
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