Republic of Ireland 0
Portugal 0
A COUNTRY SPENT two years waiting for a night in which there wasn’t even a goal: they will have to be content with further signs of progress.
There was no late Faroesque heartbreak here but nor was there any sense of discomfort or desperation, as Ireland went blow-for-blow with Portugal and probably shaded the contest on points.
They had a tantalising glimpse of victory when Pepe went full Pepe in being sent off with seven minutes to go, but a last-gasp Matt Doherty goal was chalked off for an earlier foul on the Portuguese goalkeeper.
Portugal needed a point to know they can top the group with a draw against Serbia on Sunday, and Fernando Santos’ team selection betrayed his preponderance: he rested all but one of the players at risk of being banned for the final group game.
The delicious irony of a plan to avoid suspensions being undone by Pepe was lost on nobody, as he left to goading salutes of an Aviva Stadium that was finally full once again.
Two years’ worth of pent-up noise rumbled and then geysered into the night sky right on kick-off, and the volume never dimmed from there, save for a few gasps when Ireland tried to play out from the back. They mingled horror with exhilaration: some fans around the press box hadn’t felt life like this in years.
A much-changed side meant Portugal sent out a makeshift back four. They picked their third-choice right-back (Semedo) with the second-choice (Dalot) at left-back while their central defenders were a midfielder (Danilo) and an irascible old man (Pepe.)
Pepe was sent shuttling across his penalty area after only four minutes. Matt Doherty was picked out by a gorgeous, raking cross-field pass, and his through ball – slightly too firm for Hendrick, agonisingly short for Ogbene – was thwacked behind for a corner by the experienced defender.
Jamie McGrath found Shane Duffy, whose downward header hit Callum Robinson in the six-yard box, who couldn’t react in time.
The Portugal team was depleted but by no means diminished as Cristiano Ronaldo still had a recognisable supporting cast – Bruno Fernandes, Andre Silva and Goncalo Guedes – though he was by no means enamoured by them all. When Guedes accidentally intercepted a Ronaldo pass for Silva late in the first-half, Ronaldo gestured to his bench in disgust. Guedes was gone within 15 minutes.
(He may have forgotten that he blocked a Fernandes cross a few minutes earlier.)
Ireland had the game’s first attempt but Portugal found the rhythm of the game more quickly. When Duffy was harshly adjudged to have fouled Ronaldo in the air, Portugal picked out Andre Silva with the Irish defence off-guard but Bazunu parried the ball away at the near post.
With McGrath dropping into midfield, Ireland’s structure out of possession was good, and only once were they opened up in the first half. Guedes got inside Stevens too easily, and pushed the ball left for Ronaldo. He had enough time to size the shot up, the stadium had enough time to picture the ball arrowing into the bottom corner…and Seamus Coleman had enough time to recklessly throw himself in the line of the shot.
With the ball Ireland struggled to play through Portugal’s press, but Robinson and Chiedozie Ogbene found joy any time they could be found behind the Portuguese defence: Ogbene almost pounced on a through ball for which goalkeeper Rui Patricio came too far.
With Ireland hemmed in and too imprecise with their longer passing, the momentum of the first half swung when Ronaldo was clattered in the box as Doherty barged through the air to win a header. The referee was unmoved and Ireland countered, and Robinson cut inside from the left wing and sent Patricio flying across his goal to save a ferocious, dipping shot.
Ronaldo lingered in the Irish penalty area, arms thrust out in exasperation at the referee while wearing the stupefied, pitied expression of an actor who had just been told he wouldn’t be getting his own bespoke trailer on set.
That moment ratcheted the noise up further: glorying in Ronaldo’s annoyance was a vital life source for the crowd.
Ireland’s thoughtful approach to set pieces almost yielded a goal before half-time: a hop, skip and jump off a series of heads saw the ball break in the six-yard box, but Semedo made a superb challenge before Hendrick could pull the trigger.
Ireland could not have started the second half with more directness as Ogbene took the kick-off and ran right at the Portuguese defence, curbed only by a cynical Palhinha pull-back.
Portugal had their own issues playing from the back. Matheus Nunes took the ball across his box and then slipped, but Ireland, startled by the sheer weirdness of the situation, reacted too late and Josh Cullen’s shot was tame and easily saved by Patricio.
The ghosts of Faro flashed before everyone’s eyes at the midway point of the second half: Hendrick scuffed a free-kick to allow Portugal counter attack, and Ronaldo glanced a header narrowly wide of Bazunu’s right-hand post.
Ogbene was booked in the first-half for accidentally catching Danilo Pereira with a flailing arm, and having causing some physical pain, then went about inflicting it psychologically. He ran at him and ran at him and it took the referee a trio of fouls before he finally brandished a yellow card.
That a guy who plays as a wing-back in League One was doing this to a player of Paris Saint-Germain is a testament to Kenny’s unique talents.
The referee was nothing like as generous to Pepe. Booked first for a handball, he then caught Robinson with a stray arm and was given his marching orders. The irony of a plan to avoid suspension being undone by Pepe was lost on nobody.
Santos instantly swapped an attacker for a defender to cling onto his point as the Aviva roared and roiled. Robinson found Idah in the box but his header was nodded skywards, and Doherty’s shot was blocked by Fonte.
And the moment of ecstasy almost came: desperate pinball in the Portugal box ended with Matt Doherty stroking the ball into an empty net, but the whistle has already blown as Will Keane -on in the final minutes for his debut – had fouled Patricio.
As is his eternal wont, Ronaldo could have won it with the games last act: sauntering into the penalty area but seeing his shot blocked by Bazunu’s legs.
The final whistle blew and the crowd reciprocated with their approval, as a young fan dashed onto the field and embraced Ronaldo. He gave the fan his shirt, and strode off down the tunnel bare-chested but content.
Portugal got the result they came for, and while Ireland won’t be going to the World Cup…they are going somewhere.
Republic of Ireland: Gavin Bazunu; Matt Doherty; Seamus Coleman (captain), Shane Duffy, John Egan; Enda Stevens (James McClean 77′); Jeff Hendrick (Conor Hourihane, 77′), Josh Cullen; Jamie McGrath (Adam Idah 60′), Chiedozie Ogbene (Will Keane, 90′); Callum Robinson
Portugal: Rui Patricio; Nelson Semedo, Pepe, Danilo, Diogo Dalot; Joao Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (Joao Moutinho, 55′), Bruno Fernandes (Renato Sahcnes, 74′); Goncalo Guedes (Rafael Leao, 55, Jose Fonte, 83′)), Andre Silva (Joao Felix, 74′), Cristiano Ronaldo
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano
Just give Kenny the contract exstenion. This team is deffo improving. Imo.
@Paul Gorry: but Liam Brady said no……RTE give us a break…only happy when we have managers who play hoof football for the last 20 years and don’t believe in their players
@Ferg: yeah agree 100% ferg. Think rte told brady to play the bad guy tonight. He didn’t even look like what he was saying himself was plausible. Sad.
@Paul Gorry: It seems a bit like he’s trying to make excuses for the FAI if they end up sacking him. Very yes-man behaviour
@Paul Gorry: Brady looks like a piece of cranky ham and isnt a great analyst. To not admit the team has improved and kenny is making a difference is just incorrect.
If that’s Portugal’s B team i’d hate to play their A team… Ronaldo, Fernandes, Pepe, Semedo, Guedes, Patricio, Silva, Palhinha, Pereira all starting for their “B” team..
Good man Liam Brady, RTE do us a favour.
@C: Brady really dislikes Kenny for some reason
@C: hes bitterness and ego are embarrassing
@C: 0utrageous statement from Brady. That team could cost 300 million. Felix alone is valued at 150 million and we are supposed to put a couple of goals past them? SMH! Our team is incredibly medi0cre, but Kenny has young lads playing above their ability by passing and moving. Congrats on an excellent point.
@C: The only who won’t be getting a contract extension for the next campaign is Brady. Bitter and cranky and clearly has an agenda against Kenny.
@C: Brady keeps saying they were focused on the Serbia game? Surely beating Ireland is an easier task and then you’re in the driving seat for 1st?
I agree with you but there was a few starting 11 on the bench. Definitely going in the right direction and a win v Luxembourg will see us i gpod stead for the euros with Kenny in charge.
@Miguel Sanchez: Even described the match as ‘a damp squib’ …………
@Hugh: Jesus that’s a sad comment
Brady measuring his time with Trap, comes across as being bitter.
If would be so counterproductive to fire Kenny, he’s got us playing well with a very limited amount of quality
@Aidan Prior: Brady is bitter
@Peadar: yeah you’re actually right
Should be over the moon with a draw against Portugal but feel robbed. Shows how far we have come.
@Frainc Ó Broin: Great football, light yrs away from the stodgy stuff that the ROI supporters have had to out up with fir years. Hats off to those supporters that stayed loyal throughout those times
@rugbyanbeer: I know you are only abbreviating the official name of the team but it sounds very British to call them ROI! It’s Ireland!
@Oisin Murphy: Fair enough, it was a great style of Football
@Oisin Murphy: do one will ya you support the British and Irish lions going by your pictures. Your raging we where aloud drink in the stands tonight I say too
@Liam De Oráiste: I’d say you had one too many in the stands
@Liam De Oráiste: …prefer a quiet drink meself!!
Somebody drag Brady off the set. Kenny is playing with kids who aren’t even getting a game for their clubs, with a new playing philosophy instilling playing confidence in his team against a top 10 side containing some of the best players in the world. Roll back to 2008 Chippie and the muck that you were helping Trapp to serve up.
@GrumpyAulFella: too afraid to take a gamble on youth at the expense of world rankings
From day 1 i have been against Stephen Kenny, wrong manager, not up to it at this level, a total spoofer, watched his whole career seen how he ruined a great shamrock rovers dressing room.
BUT TODAY
I have changed my mind, i can see what he is trying to do, i can see things moving forward. The players buying into what he wants to do. The results this campaign have not been great but i can see we are getting there now, finally a Ireland team who play a nice bit of ball, and still got stuck in today,
Well done Stephen cause i have to say i didn’t think you were up for it
@Happy: It looks like they’ve finally transitioned to a new style of play. It’s just a shame it’s taken this long. Hopefully they go out and send a message against Luxembourg the next day
@Happy: what was great about the rovers dressing room . Was it the paint work? Stephen Kenny proved himself to be a very successful manager in the league of ireland
@Michael Graham: Rovers just won the league and walked into a happy dressing room and tore it apart, even got locked out of it at half time as players had enough of him
@Michael Graham: And for someone so old I’d think you would be over being a smart as s, you knew exactly what i meant
And you knew exactly what i meant by saying he destroyed dressing room, with your advancing years I’d think you would have more cop on
@Happy: he was toogood for rovers and proved it with dundalk and irish underage teams As for your comment about advancing years you must be very hurt
@Michael Graham: i came on here and admitted i was wrong about Kenny didn’t i? So give it a rest will you and act your age, throwing out comments like a child, embarrassing
Can someone explain to be how a forward player gets man of the match in a 0-0 game? Seamus Coleman was outstanding closely followed by Duffy.
@jay bernard: i think its because Ray Houghton seems to have a love for Robinson, yes he played well but i thought Coleman was superior.
@jay bernard: Cullen for me, most passes completed, central to everything
@Declan: absolutely, Coleman was superb. Left CR7 on his ARC7 a few times as well.
@jay bernard: i would have given it to doherty or coleman.
@jay bernard: They all played well in fairness. To be honest we wouldn’t have expected an argument about which Irish player was MOM before the game so let’s not worry about it!
@jay bernard: Josh Cullen pal
Can someone check on the boys in the RTE studio, misery fest
@Sam Murray: They were just trying to reign in expectations. We should have won but the opposition went really bothered
Give Kenny a new contract. It’s clear we are making progress and he has brought some talented young players into the squad. We are making progress. He’s Irish and has a finger on the pulse of football in the country.
Played well, deserved to win. Ronaldo expecting free kicks any time some one looked at him. Goal disallowed…. We are playing some good football at time and are getting better all the time.
Liam Brady needs to go. I hope RTE don’t renew his contract. I’d rather see Dunphy back. Bitter, much.
Can someone please explain the disallowing of that goal at the end? Surely it can’t be obstruction when Keane was taking the ball down for himself?
@Johnny Mads: keepers are usually heavily protected in that situation. Fairly common foul to give
@Johnny Mads: You can’t challenge a keeper anymore, simple as. Keane didn’t even jump for it, thought it was pathetic but that’s 2021 football
@Johnny Mads: You can’t challenge a keeper anymore, simple as. Keane didn’t even jump for it, thought it was pathetic but that’s 2021 football.
@Johnny Mads: it was always going to be blown up. Anytime a keeper gets caught out and runs into a player, the red will blow it (Keane should have watched the ball and not the keeper)
@Johnny Mads: You can’t challenge a keeper anymore, simple as. Keane didn’t even jump for it, thought it was pathetic but that’s 2021 football I suppose!
@C: What can’t you do? Missed it the first 3 times
@C: you can say that again
@Aidan Prior: Ya he looked at the keeper, but that only usually comes into it if it’s excessive aggression or blatant obstruction.. but when Keanes the one taking the ball down it shouldn’t matter if he looks at him. Madness. Anywhere else on field it’s no foul.
@Sam Murray: you didn’t read my full comment. I’m aware of the keeper protection.
@C: you were obviously not watching the Liverpool game at the weekend?
@Johnny Mads: I hear yo, it’s BS alright
@Hugh: I’ve a serious problem with this app… every time you post a comment it says “error” so I try it again… and again… and again
@C: Everybody else does too !
@ C everybody else does too !
@ C: everybody else does too !
@C: we’ve all been there with this app
@Hugh: I’m pretty sure he threw his hands across the keeper so he couldn’t raise his hands. If you allowed that keepers would be targeted for every cross
Liam Brady is a joyless old curmodgen who can’t give credit where its due. Baa humbug.
@Hugh: do you ever just watch sport to enjoy it without thinking of some incredibly bitter edgelord spin to put on it?
Still very blunt going forward but lots to be positive about. Ogbene is an absolute breath of fresh air, would’ve loved to see them run at Pepe a bit more. Easy to look composed when Portugal don’t throw a punch however
@Sam Murray: streets ahead of McClean.
@Aidan Prior: Different positions but I agree that McClean is a bit past it at this stage
@Miguel Sanchez: wouldn’t entirely agree there, both are wingers, and one can’t cross, is headless in attack and has no first touch.
I suppose so if you consider a wing back to be a winger. Ogbene isn’t going to be deployed as a wing back like
@Miguel Sanchez: ogbene plays as a wing back for his club
@James Murphy: and McClean has played most of his career as midfielder on the wing
Liam Brady does not like kenny’s league connections andhe is not the only one. He is very bitter for some reason
@Hugh: Tony should be crying about hiding the smear tests rather than worry about Irish fans support its team.
Really enjoyed that , dunno what kind of agenda Brady has but will not be listening to him in the future
That was entertaining and energetic football tonight, a joy to watch. Don’t know what game RTEs panell were watching. Kenny deserves a new contract.
I didn’t think Kenny should have gotten the job and after the first few performances I would have been happy to see him sacked but I’ll hold my hand up and say I was wrong. He is really building something exciting here. He has the full buy in of the players and there has been steady improvement over the last few matches. Yes I think that we play the ball around our box and 18 yard line a little too much at times and I think that there are a couple of older players who should be in the squad if not team (James McCarthy and Ciaran Clarke) but we are heading in the right direction and will only get better. Hendrick looks like a different player and Doherty is finding his Wolves form.
We must beat Luxembourg on Sunday for this result to mean anything.
Enjoying watching Ireland again. Would prefer this than the rubbish we had to endure for years under so called big name managers. Positive football that may be limited by players abilities but decent on the eye. Give Kenny his contract and get on with it.
At last an Irish team playing proper football….let’s continue with this as there’s no sensible alternative to Kenny.
Always liked Brady but he sickened me tonight, gway Liam, did you even believe what you were saying yourself.
@Mike Kennedy: I wonder what Dunphy and Giles will say to him on Dumphy’s podcast.
Surprised West Ham let Cullen go. He is a very good player.
Progress
@Gary O’Rourke: Hiding smear tests? Will you give over you big eejit
Give Kenny a new contact before some club in England comes looking for him.
Why boo Ronaldo?
@Tony O Neill: he was mean to tony o donoghue.
@Tony O Neill: Probably because of the reverse fixture
@Tony O Neill: to try intimidate him?
That was the first Irish game that I watched for the full 90 mins in years.
We passed the ball instead of fonging it into the big lad and it was very entertaining to watch – we even got a result !!
I really dont mind that Lee-um Brady isnt a fan of Kenny but he’s a p1ss poor analysis and very hard to listen too.
@Hugh:
Wrong social media app Hugh. David Icke doesn’t follow Ireland’s World Cup campaign.
great performance, this will kill ole cappy joe and the other naysayers…. olè olè olè
Played well against a woeful Portugal side but again never looked liked scoring, big game v Luxembourg now go on and win that 2/3-0 but they won’t they’ll be back to the boring stuff when the onus is on them to create? Also houghton a disgrace, slatin Danilo for play acting from n elbow when there was blood pouring out of his mouth and never even apologized!
@Gary O’Rourke: Well said, the media darlings are hopeful we will forget about the deliberate attempt made to hide his involvement in the smear scandal.
What’s wrong with Brady? The man would give an aspirin a headache.
Ireland is as good if not better than Portugal..We should be in the World Cup.
It’s not fair…
@Roger Bond: why is it not fair exactly?
It’s not fair because we are as good as Portugal and Portugal will easily quality but we won’t.
@Roger Bond: then we are obviously not as good as them so are we
@Fred Conlan: get lost the three of yas and pss off to some other article. Preferably something that relates to your yabber.