Article by Dragoș Petrescu – published on Sunday, October 12, 2025, 12:51 / Updated Sunday, October 12, 2025 12:58
Portugal imposed to limit on their own ground in front of Irelandscore 1-0, in the preliminaries of the World Championship of 2026. Ruben Neves scored the only Lusitani goal in the party's extensions and dedicated the success of his best friend, the regretted Diogo Jota.
The full program of stage #3 of the preliminaries CM 2026 (Group F)
The winner of the UEFA Nations League had an extremely difficult match with Ireland, in which Cristiano Ronaldo missed a hit from 11 meters. However, Roberto Martinez's students hit the game extensions, thanks to Ruben Neves.
Ruben Neves broke the ice at the Portugal national in the match with number 60, wearing Diogo Jota's shirt
Although he had also dressed the Lusitan team shirt 59 times, Al-Hilal's footballer had never managed to mark for Portugal. However, this drought ended on Saturday night, in Lisbon, when Neves resumed his head in Kelleher's gate, in the first additional minute of the match, thus bringing the victory of his team.
The way he celebrated the void was a unique one: he took down the left legging to reveal a tattoo that depicts him, along with his good friend Diogo Jota, hugging during a Portugal match. Moreover, in that image, the late footballer Lusitan wore the t -shirt with number 21, the one that Neves took over with his death.
At the end of the match, the midfielder spoke about this celebration, but also about fate, being convinced that what happened on Estadio Jose Alvalade (no – score his first goal for Portugal, even wearing the number of Diogo Jota) was not something by chance.
I think this moment was predestined. My first goal for the national team, wearing this number precisely, it could not be more beautiful. I am convinced that this is due to his wish and passion (no – of Diogo Jota) to be here, along with us.
The match was extremely difficult. We missed a penalty, it seemed that we couldn't win. But I think that's how it was written to happen, and this goal is for him.
– Ruben Neves, after Portugal – Ireland (1-0)
The coach Roberto Martinez also confessed that the match with Ireland did not record the first moment when things can be associated with Diogo Jota.
There are signs of happiness, but I felt this at the September matches.
I scored in the 21st minute (no – with Armenia), against Hungary I received a goal in the 21st minute, and today, Ruben Neves, who took the shirt 21, scored with the determination and intelligence of Diogo.
For us it is a sign. We are very pleased to feel that he is still with the family of the national team, but it is also a huge responsibility to fight for his dream, which is, in fact, the dream of all (no – winning the World Cup).
– Roberto Martinez
Following the result from Lisbon, Portugal has accumulated 9 points and is an authoritarian leader in Group F. On the other side, Ireland occupies the last position, with only one point.
Group ranking F (CM 2026 preliminaries):
Portugal – Ireland »Start teams:
Portugal (4-3-3): Costa – Dalot, Incio, Dias, Mendes – B. Fernandes, R. Neves, Vitinha – B. Silva, Ronaldo, Neto
reserves: SA, R. Silva – Conceicao, Goncalves, Leao, Nunes, Palhinha, Ramos, Semedo, A. Silva, Trincao, Vega
coach: Roberto Martinez
Ireland (3-4-2-1): Kelleher – O'Brien, Collins, O'Shea – Coleman, Cullen, Molumby, Manning – Eboles, Ogbene – Ferguson
reserves: Bazunu, Cross – Azaz, Dunne, Egan, Ferry, Idah, Johnston, Mcateer, Parrott, Smallbone, Taylor
coach: Heimir Hallgrimsson
Stadium: Estadio Jose Alvalade (Lisbon)
Referee: Ivan Kruzliak
