Republic of Ireland 0-0 Portugal: Ronaldo's side are held as Pepe sent off

Republic of Ireland put in a spirited display to secure a 0-0 draw with 10-man Portugal, whose hopes of automatic qualification for next year's World Cup now rest on a winner-takes-all clash with Serbia on Sunday.

Match Report

Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, dominated the early exchanges with Gavin Bazunu having to save from Andre Silva and Seamus Coleman blocking the Manchester United forward's goal-bound shot, but the hosts held firm as the first half reached its mid-point.

Ronaldo wasted the best opportunity of the game midway through the second half, heading Andre Silva's cross wide before Portugal's challenge faded with the sending off of Pepe for two second-half bookings.

Stephen Kenny's side tried to make use of their numerical advantage, but they were forced to settle for a point, which gives them the opportunity to finish third if they can beat Luxembourg in their final game of the campaign on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, the draw sees Portugal go top of group A on goal difference ahead of Serbia, who they host in Lisbon on Sunday, for the chance to seal their place at the World Cup in Qatar.

Stats: Portugal left frustrated in Dublin...

Republic of Ireland have failed to score in 53 per cent 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 (5 shots, 2 chances created), though his only attempt on target came in the sixth minutes of second-half injury time.

What's next?

Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign ends with a trip to Luxembourg on Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Meanwhile, Portugal's chances of automatic qualification go to the wire as they face Serbia in a winner-takes-all clash with Serbia in Lisbon; kick-off 7.45pm.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

12' CHANCE! Ronaldo's shot blocked

34' CHANCE! Robinson's long shot wide out

67' CLOSE! Ronaldo's header inches wide

71' Yellow Card! Pepe booked

79' CHANCE! Ronaldo's shot wide out

80' Second Yellow Card! Pepe sent off

Line-ups

Republic of Ireland XI: Coleman, Stevens, Duffy, Egan, Hendrick, Doherty, Robinson, J. McGrath, J. Cullen, C. Ogbene, G. Bazunu

Subs: Hourihane, McClean, W. Keane, O'Dowda, A. Browne, R. Manning, Kelleher, Travers, Idah, Parrott, N. Collins, J. Knight

Portugal XI: Ronaldo, Pepe, Patricio, Danilo Pereira, Andre Silva, Semedo, Guedes, Bruno Fernandes, João Palhinha, Dalot, Matheus Nunes

Subs: Fonte, Moutinho, Carvalho, Cancelo, Jose Sa, Neves, Ruben Dias, R.Sanches, Jota, Diogo Costa, Felix, Leao