"We scored a legitimate goal that was disallowed," said Kenny, who faces an anxious wait to see if his contract will be extended at the end of a disappointing campaign.Ī point edges Portugal to the top of Group A, level on points with Serbia, who they host in their final game of the section in Lisbon at the weekend.Ĭroatia will also face Russia on Sunday in a shootout to qualify after both recorded resounding wins. Ireland lost to Luxembourg and drew with Azerbaijan at home earlier in the group to spoil their chances of qualification.īut Stephen Kenny's men were denied a famous win in stoppage time when Matt Doherty's strike was ruled out for a foul on Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio. Pepe was shown the 14th red card of his career eight minutes from time for elbowing Callum Robinson. Ronaldo twice came closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors as he headed inches wide before also failing to hit the target with a curling effort from the edge of the box. "We are playing against a good team that will, in theory, have to attack more against us now."ĭespite the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and rising star Alexander Isak up front, the Swedes were humbled by two second-half goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in Tblisi.Ĭristiano Ronaldo failed to fire a lacklustre Portugal as they had to hold on for a 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin after a late red card for Pepe. "Of course I think we are going to have a place in the World Cup come Sunday, but I already thought that when we were second in the group," said Spain boss Luis Enrique. Pablo Sarabia's penalty proved enough for La Roja to take all three points in Athens and move a point above Sweden ahead of a winner-takes-all clash between the sides in Seville on Sunday. Spain took a huge step towards next year's World Cup in Qatar as a 1-0 win in Greece coupled with Sweden's shock 2-0 defeat to Georgia on Thursday put Luis Enrique's men in pole position to qualify.
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