Republic of Ireland vs Portugal LIVE Score and Commentary, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers

That's me Sachin Bhat signing off for now! I'll see you again soon. Good night!

Portugal now face a daunting clash at home to Serbia on Sunday where they must avoid a defeat to secure a direct qualification spot, while Ireland are away to Luxembourg on the same day in what's essentially a dead rubber.

The Boys in Green were the better side on the night, looking dangerous on the break and causing a few nervy moments from set-pieces too, but the visitors somehow held firm, although they could never create anything special at the other end. Ronaldo was also denied in stoppage-time by Bazunu with a vital block.

The referee blows the whistle and it ends even stevens in Dublin! Ireland held Portugal to a 0-0 draw following a spirited performance despite having little to play for. However, a point is enough for the Selecao to climb to the top of Group A, ahead of Serbia on goal-difference.

FULL TIME: IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL

96' SAVED! Ronaldo came really close to snatching a late winner after some good work down the right but his effort is straight at Bazunu.

95' Only a few seconds remain. Can Ronaldo produce anything special like he did, two months ago?

94' OFFSIDE! Doherty has the ball into the back of the net but its flagged off for offside. A real let-off for Portugal.

90+1 - Ogbene comes for Ireland - Will Keane, brother of Michael Keane, makes his Ireland debut.

90' We're into the final minute of normal time now and Ireland are still threatening.

87' Pepe's red card seems to have spurred Ireland on as they're pushing for a late winner here. What a twist in the tale would that bring!

86' CHANCE! Ireland ruffled a few feathers there but couldn't find a way past Portugal. Idah's header is saved by Patricio before Doherty saw an effort blocked.

85' Well, well, well, could this be shift the balance of power in Ireland's favor?

The veteran centre-back, who was booked only a few minutes ago, received his second booking for catching Robinson in the face with an elbow. Portugal are now down to 10-men with only eight minutes left on the clock!

82' PEPE IS SENT OFF FOR PORTUGAL!

80' We're now into the final 10 minutes of the clash. Portugal are yet to produce anything meaningful and looks like their winless run in Dublin is set to continue.

78' Enda Stevens comes off for James McClean. Simultaneously, Conor Hourihane replaces Hendrick.

76' OVER! Ireland break forward once again with Ogbene laying off for Stevens inside the box, whose connection is poor and the ball is slammed into row Z.

75' Portugal make another change - Fernandes goes off and Renato Sanches comes in. Can he produce something special for the visitors?

74' Silva produces a nice burst of pace from the left before laying off for Silva, who attempted header is blocked.

72' Pepe is also booked for handling the ball and Ireland's ensuing free-kick is dealt by Portugal.

71' Portugal are gearing up for more changes as they look to go all guns blazing here in the final 20 minutes.

70' Danilo is booked! The Portuguese midfielder obstructs Ogbene's movements and the referee doesn't hesitate to pull a card out.

67' Wide! Ronaldo latches onto a cross from Silva but his headed attempt flies wide. So close!

61' Ireland make their first change of the night - Adam Idah comes on for Jamie McGrath.

58' A nice cross from Fernandes is headed away by Duffy.

55' Portugal make a change - Guedes, who failed to trouble Ireland, is taken off for Rafael Leao. Later, Nunes also goes off for Joao Moutinho.

55' Portugal get a free-kick on the left which Ronaldo slammed straight into the wall. A poor attempt from the talismanic No.7.

54' Chance! Ireland catch Portugal out of possession but Cullen's effort is saved at the far post by Patricio. Wake up call for the visitors!

51' Danilo gets the better of Ogbene this time but Ireland have a throw in.

48' Ronaldo brought down by Coleman while the two tussle for the ball but the referee says play on, much to the Portuguese skipper's dismay.

47' Ireland's resulting free-kick is dealt well by Portugal, who now have a goal kick.

46' Ireland restart the match and Palhinha goes into the books for bringing down Ogbene.

Neither side many any change at half time.

Excluding blocked shots, cause they’re not fecking shots, Ireland had 4 shots to Portugal’s 2 in the first-half. #IRLPOR
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) November 11, 2021

Ronaldo, scorer of two stoppage-time goals in the reverse fixture, has been involved in building up attacks but a clear-cut chance has been hard to come by. Fernandes has largely been kept quiet so far while Silva has struggled to get hold of the game too. Santos will be demanding more from his stellar attacking frontline.

HALF-TIME: Ireland 0-0 Portugal

It's been a tight game with the sides' best chances only coming from set-pieces. Ireland came close twice but will still be proud of how they've fared so far. Portugal, meanwhile, have work to do after the break.

45' There will be two additional minutes before half-time whistle.

44' Ireland play the free-kick into the box which Portugal initially clear but the hosts find their way back into the box only for Ogbene to head narrowly wide off target! Stephen Kenny's side are growing into the game.

43' Nunes catches Robinson and now Ireland have a free-kick.

41' Portugal cleared Ireland's corner and looked to hit them on the break but Ronaldo's cross for Guedes comes off the striker and the move fizzles out.

39' Ogbene finds himself in a tight space on the left and his effort is deflected out for a corner which Ronaldo heads away but Stevens fired it back in and now Ireland have another corner!

36' Bazunu pushes the resulting corner away

36' Shot! Nunes attempts a shot but its off the back of Duffy, earning Portugal another corner.

33' Ireland have a corner at the other end but Egan's header is wide.

31' Dalot fired in a deep cross from the left but its too high for Ronaldo and it sails harmlessly out of play.

29' The temperature is rising! Danilo and Ogbene go head-to-head for the ball before the latter elbows the Portuguese midfielder down, earning himself a booking. The first yellow card of the night.

28' Portugal's high press is looking dangerous but it's leaving gaps at the back for Ireland to hit them on the break. It's a risky set-up from the visitors.

26' Save! Ireland break forward once more with Callum Robinson drifting inside from the left before firing a testing effort towards goal which Rui Patricio emphatically saved. That was really close, arguably the best chance of the night!

24' Offside! Pepe latched onto a loose ball in midfield and slammed it towards Ronaldo, who looked to connected with it but Bazunu got his hands to it first. The Manchester United was offside anyways.