2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying: Republic of Ireland hold Portugal

1. Republic of Ireland hold Portugal in Group A - Pepe dismissed
2. Portugal battling with Serbia for top spot
3. Republic of Ireland can't qualify for the World Cup
4. Germany and Croatia cruising after Sweden stunned by Georgia
5. Get involved via #bbcfootball

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Republic hold Portugal in Dublin - read the report

The Republic of Ireland continued their encouraging recent form as they held a sub-par Portugal to a goalless draw in Dublin.

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating night for the visitors, who ended the game with 10 men after Pepe was sent off for two bookable offences.

Chiedozie Ogbene and Enda Stevens spurned the home side's best chances.

With the Republic's qualifying hopes already over, Portugal are tied on 17 points with Serbia with one game left.

Having looked on course for a famous win in Faro in September only to be sunk by Ronaldo's late double, the Republic had revenge on their minds in front of a noisy 50,737-strong crowd inside the Aviva Stadium.

Pepe's 82nd-minute dismissal - the Porto defender earning a second yellow card for catching Callum Robinson with a stray elbow - offered the hosts a chance to earn a late win.

Kenny unhappy at disallowed goal

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny tells Sky Sports: "I thought we started a little nervously, Portugal were very good early on. In the second half I thought we were the better team.

"We scored a legitimate goal, it was not a foul, Will Keane stands his ground and we're disappointed [with the decision].

"We've played them twice, leading 1-0 out there after 88 minutes and in the second half tonight I thought we were excellent.

"There's room for improvement but we had more shots on target than they did. It was a good performance. We've evolved, you can see the way we're playing.

"In nine matches, we've only lost one, in Faro in the 97th minute. We're going well."

Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman told Sky Sports: "From the beginning you could see what we were trying to do and we looked comfortable for lots of the game.

"Of course I want him [Stephen Kenny] to stay. You could see by the support, they're enjoying the football, the players are being brave, wanting the ball, enjoying the ball.

"I love playing for Ireland, as players we're really enjoying it."

Gordon scores two on England U21 debut

Getty Images

Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon scored twice in the first 11 minutes of his England Under-21 debut as they beat Czech Republic at Turf Moor to boost their hopes of Euro 2023 qualification.

Martin Vitik deflected in Gordon's low effort after four minutes and the debutant doubled the lead soon after when he tapped in from close range.

Arsenal's Folarin Balogun made it three with his first Under-21s goal. Adam Karabec pulled a goal back from the penalty spot.

Attacking midfielder Gordon, 20, has played 29 times for Everton since making his debut in 2017 and has made nine appearances this season.

The win moves England to within two points of the Czech Republic - the group leaders - with a game in hand and six matches of the campaign remaining.

'A real gutsy performance'

Republic of Ireland's Shane Duffy, on his 50th international appearance, tells Sky Sports: "I thought we performed really well. It's more progress from the team and we're a little bit disappointed we didn't win, it was a real gutsy performance.

"We kept a clean sheet against one of the best teams in the world and had chances so there's lots of positives.

"If anyone had told you you would get 50 caps for your country you would laugh. I'm very proud of what I've achieved so far, it's been tough and hard.

"You never know if it's going to be your last so you want to enjoy every moment."

'A game that proved we're going in the right direction'

Republic of Ireland's Callum Robinson, talking to Sky Sports: "Winning is the main thing, but this has proven how far we have come as a group to compete against the top, the very best and we did a great job on him [Cristiano Ronaldo].

"We had a few half chances, but it was not to be. It was a game that proved we're going in the right direction.

"The fans are here, it was an amazing feeling and it was nice to get a result for them and we dug in. On another night, with the half chances, we could've got a win."

Wales' World Cup play-off confirmed

Huw Evans picture agency

Wales are officially guaranteed at least a place in the World Cup play-offs after Spain beat Greece 1-0.

Wales started their qualifying campaign knowing they had all but secured a play-off spot having won their Nations League group. Spain's win in Athens formally seals it, even if Wales finish outside the top two in their qualifying group.

Wales must finish second to have any chance of being seeded for March's play-offs.

Teams who reach the play-offs via the Nations League are unseeded and will be away in their semi-final to a seeded nation.

Wales can guarantee a top-two finish with four points from their final two qualifiers at home to Belarus on Saturday and Belgium on Tuesday.

Wales could theoretically qualify automatically - they are five points behind Group E leaders Belgium with two games to go - but they would need the world's number one ranked side to lose to Estonia as well as to Rob Page's men in Cardiff.

Today's European qualifying results

Group A: Azerbaijan 1-3 Luxembourg, Republic of Ireland 0-0 Portugal.

Group B: Georgia 2-0 Sweden, Greece 0-1 Spain.

Group H: Russia 6-0 Cyprus, Malta 1-7 Croatia, Slovakia 2-2 Slovenia.

Group J: Armenia 0-5 North Macedonia, Germany 9-0 Liechtenstein, Romania 0-0 Iceland.

How it stands

This is how it looks in Group A. Portugal v Serbia on Sunday - a showdown to win the group. Serbia need to win it or it's a trip to the play-offs.

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Wales into play-offs

Wales are officially guaranteed at least a place in the World Cup play-offs after Spain beat Greece 1-0.

Match stats

• Republic of Ireland have failed to score in 53% of their 19 games in all competitions under Stephen Kenny (10/19), the highest ratio of any manager to take charge of more than two games for the national team.
• This was Portugal’s first goalless draw in 36 World Cup qualifying matches (including play-offs), since drawing 0-0 with Sweden in March 2009.
• This was just Republic of Ireland’s second competitive clean sheet against Portugal, and first since a 1-0 victory in a Euro 1996 qualifier in April 1995.
• Pepe’s sending off was Portugal’s first competitive red card in almost three years, since Danilo Pereira was dismissed against Poland in November 2018 in the Uefa Nations League.
• Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in seven of Portugal’s 12 attempts tonight (five shots, two chances created), though his only attempt on target came in the sixth minute of second half injury time.

They can't can they?

Maximilian Goppel's own goal has put Germany 9-0 (NINE) ahead against Liechtenstein.

FULL-TIME

A very creditable performance from the Republic of Ireland. You do wonder just what went so badly wrong at the start of this campaign when Stephen Kenny's side can battle like this.

The draw means the Republic need to win away at Luxembourg on Sunday to finish third in the group.

For Portugal, they move top and will qualify for the 2022 World Cup if they avoid defeat against Serbia in Lisbon at the weekend.

Ronaldo. In the last minute of injury time....

No. Saved by Gavin Bazunu.

Portugal look happy with a point as the Republic push forward.

Matt Doherty puts the ball in the net, but the whistle had already gone with Will Keane impeding away goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

Eight for Germany

It's eight for Germany.

They lead Liechtenstein 8-0 with four minutes left, with Thomas Muller grabbing his second.

Five minutes of added time for a winner. Another attacking option change from Stephen Kenny, with Will Keane on for the impressive Chiedozie Ogbene.

That red card will rule Pepe out of their vital group decider against Serbia on Sunday.

These last few minutes are crucial for Portugal as if they get a draw, they only need a point at the weekend.

If the Republic get a winner, Portugal would then need to beat Serbia to qualify.

No easing up for Germany

Germany may already have qualified for Qatar but they aren't taking it easy.

Bote Baku has put them 7-0 up against 10-man Liechtenstein. Ouch.