Portugal currently find themselves sitting second in Group A of the UEFA qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup with five wins and a draw from their opening six games, so they will be keen to beat Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night (19:45 GMT) and usurp group leaders Serbia, who have played a game more. Stay with us for all the build-up to Ireland vs Portugal in Dublin and then updates from the match itself.
Ireland 0-0 Portugal – LIVE SCORE
This is the start of our Ireland vs Portugal live blog, with our updates from this World Cup qualifier following on from here. As always, the entries nearest the top are the most recent ones.
17:30 BST: Packed house expected at the Aviva
There is expected to be a crowd of more than 50,000 people for tonight’s clash between Ireland and Portugal, as the Aviva Stadium has sold out its 51,700 capacity.
17:00 BST: Will Cristiano Ronaldo haunt Ireland again?
When Portugal and Ireland met in the Algarve on September 1, two late second-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo saw Portugal turn the game around and grab a 2-1 victory. Ronaldo’s two goals saw him become the all-time record international goalscorer with 111 goals, and since then he has added another four. Will he add to his tally against Ireland tonight?
16:30 BST: Where to watch Ireland vs Portugal
This evening’s match between Ireland and Portugal gets underway at 19:45 GMT, which is 20:45 CET for those in central Europe, 14:45 ET and 11:45 PT.
- Ghana: DStv Now, StarTimes App, Startimes World Football, Startimes Sports Premium, SuperSport MaXimo 1, SuperSport Premier League ROA.
- India: SONY TEN 2 HD, Sony LIV, JioTV, SONY TEN 2.
- International: UEFA.tv.
- Ireland: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, RTE 2, SKY GO Extra, RTE Player.
- Nigeria: StarTimes App, DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League Nigeria, Startimes Sports Premium, Startimes World Football, SuperSport MaXimo 1.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Main Event, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Football.
- United States: TUDN.com, ESPN+, TUDNxtra, TUDN App.
16:00 BST: Ireland vs Portugal predicted line-ups
Ireland have Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby back available after suspension, while Callum Robinson will be hoping to continue his fine goalscoring form from the last international break. Portugal, meanwhile, are without the suspended Nuno Mendes and the injured Bernardo Silva.
Ireland’s predicted starting line-up (3-5-1-1): Gavin Bazunu; Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy, John Egan; Matt Doherty, Jeff Hendrick, Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby, James McClean; Alan Browne; Callum Robinson.
Portugal’s predicted starting line-up (4-3-3): Rui Patricio; Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo; Bruno Fernandes, Joao Palhinha, Joao Moutinho; Diogo Jota, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix.
