Dublin's Aviva Stadium fell into stunned silence on Saturday evening as Portugal's teenage sensation Pedro Netto delivered a devastating 94th-minute winner, crushing Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualification hopes in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
Irish Dreams Dashed in Added Time
Stephen Kenny's side appeared to have secured a hard-fought point against the European giants when, deep into stoppage time, 19-year-old Netto produced a moment of pure magic. The young winger cut inside from the left flank and unleashed an unstoppable strike that left goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu rooted to the spot, sending the travelling Portuguese supporters into raptures.
Controversy Mars Dramatic Encounter
The match wasn't without controversy, as Ireland felt aggrieved by several key decisions throughout the 90 minutes. Most notably, a potential penalty claim was waved away by the officials when Adam Idah appeared to be fouled in the area during the second half.
"It's a bitter pill to swallow," admitted a visibly frustrated Kenny after the match. "The players gave everything against one of the world's best teams, and to lose it in that manner, at that moment, is absolutely heartbreaking."
Qualification Hopes Hang by a Thread
This devastating late defeat leaves Ireland's World Cup qualification campaign in serious jeopardy. With just one point from their opening two matches, the pressure is mounting significantly on Kenny and his squad as they face crucial fixtures in the coming months.
The Irish performance had shown significant improvement from their opening draw against Hungary, with the team displaying greater organisation and fighting spirit against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. However, Netto's late intervention has now left their qualification hopes hanging by the thinnest of threads.
What Next for Kenny's Ireland?
Attention now turns to next month's double-header, where Ireland must secure positive results to keep their fading World Cup dreams alive. The manner of this defeat, while crushing, provides some encouragement that this young Irish team can compete with Europe's elite - though they must quickly learn how to convert promising performances into crucial points.
