Portugal 2
Republic of Ireland 1
Late drama spearheaded by Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo saw the Manchester United man score 89th and 96th minute headers to break Irish hearts in the Estadio Algarve this evening.
In what was undoubtedly Ireland's finest performance of the Stephen Kenny era, the Boys in Green had held the lead since the cusp of halftime thanks to John Egan's header - but as has often been the case, when Portugal needed saving, up stepped Ronaldo.
Seeking a goal that would break the international men's goalscoring record, Ronaldo was stunningly denied that opportunity in the 15th minute when he saw a penalty brilliantly batted away by 19-year-old goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu.
Ireland looked dangerous on the break all evening with Adam Idah playing a blinder as the lone striker - with Aaron Connolly and Seamus Coleman in the thick of the action.
Having been dealt a blow by an injury which forced Dara O'Shea off, Ireland rallied and took the lead on 45 minutes when full debutant Jamie McGrath's corner was met by the onrushing John Egan who glanced a fine header past Rui Patricio and into the far corner.
EGAN ?
Fairly normal scenes here in Portugal ?#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #PORIRLpic.twitter.com/qsJOXchOGx
— FAIreland ⚽️?? (@FAIreland) September 1, 2021
Portugal huffed and puffed for an equaliser all evening but were continually met by the staunch rearguard of Egan, Shane Duffy and debutant Andrew Omobamidele.
As time ticked on, a growing sense of inevitability began to creep in, and the record breaking goal arrived 1 minute from normal time. Goncalo Guedes' cross found an unmarked Ronaldo at close range and he towered above his man to plunder the bottom corner.
Ireland almost had an immediate answer when breaking from the restart, but James McClean saw his near-post drive turned around the post by Patricio. By that time, Waterford's Jayson Molumby had entered the field to win his 10th international cap.
Having dominated the headlines all week with his return to Old Trafford, Ronaldo again craved the final say, glancing a header home with the final kick of the game to score his 111th goal for his country and break Irish hearts in the process.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to breaking the international goalscoring record ?
via @BeanymanSportspic.twitter.com/cHzFTX6wtV
— utdreport (@utdreport) September 1, 2021
A brave Irish performance coming up short, ahead of further clashes with Azerbaijan and Serbia in Dublin to come.
