Kilbane's happy...

Group A: Azerbaijan 1-3 Luxembourg (FT), Republic of Ireland 0-0 Portugal (HT).

Group B: Georgia 2-0 Sweden (FT), Greece 0-1 Spain (HT).

Group H: Russia 6-0 Cyprus (FT), Malta 1-4 Croatia (HT), Slovakia 0-1 Slovenia (HT).

Group J: Armenia 0-5 North Macedonia (FT), Germany 4-0 Liechtenstein (HT), Romania 0-0 Iceland (HT).

Stephen Kenny will be very happy with the first half performance of his side. It's goalless at the Aviva Stadium at the break.

Callum Robinson, the Republic's CR7, manages to dig out a cross from the left, Chiedozie Ogbene is free of his marker at the near post, but can only head it just over the bar. If you're being critical, he should've hit the target from there.

Still, encouraging signs for the home fans.

A couple of back-to-back corners for the Republic. Enda Stevens' from the left eventually finds Callum Robinson and he wins a corner, which Jamie McGrath takes from the right.

But nothing comes from either set-piece.

A decent chance for Callum Robinson, who has scored five goals in the past two games for the Republic.

He shifts the ball on to his right foot and fires at goal from outside the penalty area, but it's just wide.

Corner for the home side, whipped in by Jamie McGrath and John Egan attacks it with force, but the ball goes over the top.

Egan wants another corner, but doesn't get it.

A big goal in Greece as Pablo Sarabia gives Spain the lead.

After Sweden's shock defeat to Georgia earlier, Spain are heading top of Group B with a game to go.

Sunday's finale against Sweden will still prove decisive though.

Chiedozie Ogbene gets a caution and it's an extremely harsh one. He's trying to shield the ball from Danilo, who is right behind him.

Then Danilo collapses to the floor, holding his face, although the replay shows there was no contact in that area.

Danilo protests to the official that he got elbowed in the head, he didn't. But it's a yellow for the Rotherham United man.

It could be a long night for Liechtenstein. Down to 10 men and now 4-0 down, as Leroy Sane, Marco Reus and an own goal extend Germany's advantage.

Duje Caleta-Car doubles Croatia's lead in Malta as they set their sights on qualifying for Qatar.

Portugal have had 65% of the ball, but it is still goalless. Cristiano Ronaldo goes down in the penalty area under a challenge from Matt Doherty, who did well to rise above CR7.

Ronaldo wants a penalty, but doesn't get one, nor does he deserve one. Worryingly for Manchester United fans, he gets up slowly, holding the bottom of his back, but he's OK to carry on.

Down the other end, Callum Robinson, cutting in from the left flank, curls at goal but it is pushed away by Rui Patricio.

Image source, Getty Images

More top work from Seamus Coleman, as he puts Andre Silva under pressure and the RB Leipzig striker, from 20 yards out, can only shoot over the top.

A big goal in Malta as Ivan Perisic gives Croatia an early lead in Group. The Croats know a win tonight and they can seal top spot with victory against Russia at the weekend.

Germany are also ahead at home to Liechtenstein - through Ilkay Gundogan - having already qualified for Qatar.

Image source, Getty Images

Nearly a mix-up in the Portugal defence as former Wolves man Rui Patricio has to dash 35 yards from his own goal and just manages to get there ahead of Chiedozie Ogbene.

A moment of panic for Gavin Bazunu as he has to dash across the six-yard box to hack clear a backpass that had threatened to embarrass the home number one.

Moments later Cristiano Ronaldo strikes at goal, but it's a superb sliding block from Seamus Coleman, throwing himself in front of the ball, to charge it down.

Andre Silva shoots at goal for Portugal, but it's from a really tight angle and may have been going wide.

But goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, on loan at Portsmouth, takes no chances and pushes it behind with the Republic dealing with the resulting corner.

It's been a bright start from Matt Doherty on the right wing, he knocks it past Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot, but Joao Palhinha is in the right place to cover, with his clearance ricocheting off Doherty for a goal kick.

But that could be a good outlet for the hosts.

Cristiano Ronaldo, booed by the home support, sees a chance to run at Seamus Coleman in the penalty area.

But the Republic captain does well with a last-ditch sliding challenge to force it for a Portugal corner, which comes to nothing.

Great noise already from the home fans and veteran defender Pepe has to hack the ball behind for a home corner from the right.

Jamie McGrath takes it to the back post, but the visitors manage to get it clear.

Spain's hopes of qualifying outright for the World Cup have been boosted by Sweden's 2-0 defeat in Georgia.

The result means Spain would go top of Group B with a win in Greece, before facing Sweden in the final match on Sunday.