GOODNIGHT

Irish eyes were smiling at full time, but they weren’t quite celebrating as Group A leaders Portugal held them to a goalless draw in Dublin.

Stephen Kenny’s team were unable to register a third straight win, but a point taken from the 2016 European Champions is another indication of the progress, slowly but surely, they are making under their manager.

Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to replicate his late heroics from September’s game with Ireland, but will get another chance when he spearheads his side’s attack for the crucial clash with Serbia on Sunday when there will be a place at the World Cup on the line.

We’ll have live coverage of the game in Lisbon so join us then to see who will win out. Will it be Portugal or Serbia, Ronaldo or Mitrovic?

KENNY COMMENTS

Stephen Kenny believes the reaction of his players to drawing with one of the best international sides in European football shows just how far this Republic of Ireland squad have come in their development under his management.

I felt we started a little nervously, but 20 minutes from the end of the first half our attacking players came into the game, and then in the second half, I felt we were the better team. We had a legitimate goal disallowed, and we’re disappointed with that. The players are in the dressing room, having drawn 0-0 with recent European champions, and they’re disappointed.

Stephen KennySky Sports

A REAL OPPORTUNITY

Tonight’s draw means Ireland now have a real chance of finishing in third place in Group A, and providing a base to build upon when European Championship qualifying begins. Stephen Kenny’s team take on Luxembourg in Gasperich on Sunday.

Also on Sunday is the huge winner-takes-all clash between Portugal and Serbia in Lisbon. The Portuguese currently head the table but only on goal difference after their 2-2 draw in Belgrade earlier in the campaign.

FULL TIME STATS

There was very little between the two sides in Dublin and the numbers back that up. It is indisputable that Stephen Kenny’s side are quietly improving.

RONALDO WINS THEM ROUND

Cristiano Ronaldo was booed for the entirety of tonight’s contest by the home fans, but was cheered from the field of play – despite almost breaking Irish hearts at the death once again.

And that’s because at the full time whistle, the Manchester United star was approached by a young girl who had run on to the pitch to meet her hero. However, with security in pursuit, Ronaldo quickly moved to defuse the situation by first hugging the fan, and then by giving her his shirt. Both acts were warmly received by those inside the Aviva Stadium.

FT: IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

It’s a point apiece in Dublin that perhaps will satisfy both sides in the end. For Stephen Kenny’s improving team, it’s arguably the best result of the head coach’s tenure, while the Portuguese will accept the draw that takes them to the top of Group A when they had to play the final 15 minutes with ten men.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

90+6. Ronaldo! Almost a smash and grab!

The Portugal captain gets ahead of McClean on the right, and when the Ireland substitute fails to do the sensible thing and bring him down, he darts into the box.

The angle is against him, and Joao Felix is undoubtedly in a better position in the middle, but Ronaldo’s Ronaldo. He smashes a shot towards the near post, and sees it blocked by Bazunu.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

90+4. Doherty puts the ball in the back of the net, but long after the referee had blown his whistle for a foul on Rui Patricio by Keane.

Make no mistake, Portugal are hanging on.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

90+1. Here’s Will Keane, on for Chiedozie Ogbene.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

90. There will be five minutes of stoppage time here. Five minutes for Ireland to win it. Five minutes for Portugal to ensure they head to the top of Group A.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

89. Stephen Kenny is preparing Will Keane of Wigan for his international debut. Can the striker make himself an instant hero?

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

87. Inside the final five minutes, and Portugal are now all about the draw.

It’s a point that would still have the desired effect of taking them to the top of Group A, albeit on goal difference only.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

85. Ireland believe they can win this now.

Idah times his run right, but his leap wrong as he meets a cross from the left. Hourihane keeps the chance alive for Robinson, who shoots straight at Rui Patricio.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

83. Fernando Santos makes an immediate change, and it’s a substitute that’s being sacrificed.

Rafael Leao has only been on the pitch 27 minutes, but he’ll now make way for another centre-back in Jose Fonte.

The former Crystal Palace defender slots into the heart of Portugal’s defence.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

82. That’s more like it from Pepe!

Clearly his booking for a petulant handball wasn’t sufficient for a man of his talents, and so he has decided to follow it up by thrusting an arm into Callum Robinson’s face.

Robinson makes the most of it, but who can blame him after Danilo’s theatrics in the first half? Jesus Gil Manzano strides over and dishes out a second yellow card, and then a red.

Not only will Portugal have to play this one out with ten men, they’ll also be without their defensive lynchpin for Sunday’s crucial contest with Serbia.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

78. That was Stevens’ last involvement. The defender has been removed alongside Jeff Hendrick, and on comes James McClean and Conor Hourihane.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

76. Stevens! The Sheffield United man finds himself in unfamiliar territory as he enters the area unchallenged and connects with Ogbene’s whipped cross.

It’s a difficult chance and something of a snapshot that flies over the crossbar, but Stevens looks gutted. He feels he could have made much more of the opportunity.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

75. Another double change for Portugal, that again demonstrates their wealth of talent in comparison to their hosts. Joao Felix and Renato Sanches are sent on as Bruno Fernandes and Andre Silva take a break.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

74. Ronaldo is denied again.

Rafael Leao leaves Coleman for dead down the left, and lifts a pull-back towards the near post for his captain. Ronaldo meets it with a stooping header, but it’s blocked at close quarters by Duffy.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

73. Portugal are beginning to step it up in their pursuit of a winning goal.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

71. Another booking, this time to Pepe. It’s always impressive when the veteran defender makes it this deep into a game before picking up his caution.

Disappointingly, it’s for the minor misdemeanour of handball.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

69. Finally! Danilo picks up a yellow card for a foul on, you guessed it, Ogbene. The Ireland striker’s pace has caused the Portugal player problems all night long.

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

67. Ronaldooooooooo! Oh, it looked in! The Portugal captain cannot believe he hasn’t broken the deadlock.

The Portugal forward looked to have done everything right as he got up between Coleman and Hendrick to meet Andre Silva’s pinpoint cross from the right.

The Aviva Stadium held its breath as the glancing header appeared destined for the bottom corner, and then exhaled in unison as it dropped narrowly wide.

Undeterred by his miss, Ronaldo then showed great agility to immediately sidestep a pitch invader.