Ronaldo sent off in Republic of Ireland’s 2-0 win over Portugal: World Cup 2026 qualifying – as it happened

10.07pm GMT Well that was fun. France are qualified from Group D, Italy are still in with a shot via the playoffs (but Norway are bound to top Group I due to their vastly superior goal difference), and Republic of Ireland will go to Hungary fighting for a playoff spot. Mathematically they could still win Group F, but Portugal won’t lose heavily at home to Armenia. Will they? Or … will they? Night. Updated at 11.23pm GMT 9.59pm GMT Here’s an on-the-whistle report from PA Media: Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off as Troy Parrott fired the Republic of Ireland to a sensational 2-0 victory over Portugal to set up a World Cup qualifier showdown with Hungary.The 40-year-old Portugal skipper was dismissed for elbowing defender Dara O’Shea off the ball with a little more than half-an-hour remaining at the Aviva Stadium, but Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men were already on their way to a win over the side ranked fifth in the world to write a new chapter in Irish football folklore.Ronaldo had launched a charm offensive on his arrival in Dublin, promising to try to be a “good boy”, but his smiles turned to scowls and eventually petulance, leaving Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg, who had been urged in advance by Hallgrimsson not to allow the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar to do his job for him, with little alternative.AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott’s first-half double ultimately did the damage, but it was a collective performance of true character which laid the foundation for a victory which means a repeat in Budapest on Sunday would clinch runners-up spot in Group F and a chance to make it to next summer’s finals.Ireland kicked off in no doubt as to what was required of them following Hungary’s win in Yerevan and as they had in Lisbon last month, they found themselves pressed back deep inside their own half.However, Ronaldo was unable to make anything of a series of early chances and although the home side’s forays into enemy territory were few, they grew in frequency and it was after Parrott had forced goalkeeper Diogo Costa into an error that they took 17th-minute lead.Liam Scales found space beyond the far post to head Josh Cullen’s set-piece back across goal, where Parrott was perfectly placed to turn the ball home from point-blank range.Joao Neves sent an angled drive across goal and Joao Felix headed a Ruben Dias cross over with eight minutes of the first half remaining, but Ireland almost extended their lead seconds later when Chiedozie Ogbene ran on to O’Shea’s clearance and saw his shot come back off the far post.Caoimhin Kelleher saved from Felix and Diogo Dalot twice fired over as Portugal stepped up a gear, but the home side extended their lead on the stroke of half-time when Parrott ran on to O’Shea’s ball over the top before cutting inside and beating Costa at his near post.The visitors might have been back in it within two minutes of the restart when half-time substitute Renato Veiga flicked on Bernardo Silva’s corner to Vitinha, only for the unmarked midfielder to fluff his lines.Portugal continued to dominate possession, but their hopes suffered a fatal blow when, after being advised to review his 59th-minute decision only to book Ronaldo for swinging an arm at O’Shea, Nyberg produced a red card after going to the monitor.There was a brief exchange between the striker and Hallgrimsson on the sideline which ended in a handshake, but both men knew the game was effectively done at that point and Ireland were able to ease their way across the finishing line despite the continuing onslaught. Updated at 11.24pm GMT 9.55pm GMT “Who is Parrott’s favourite player on the Portugal national team?” inquires Peter Oh. “CRrrrr7!” Updated at 9.56pm GMT 9.54pm GMT There was much to admire in Ireland’s performance. Sure, it revolved mainly around Caoimhin Kelleher knocking it full gun down the field and Ireland’s forwards running hard at the Portuguese defence and not allowing them time to settle. It wasn’t too pretty … but it worked! Troy Parrott was the hero, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s petulant red card was a testament to how well Ireland defended. Should Roberto Martínez leave him out of the World Cup squad altogether? Anyway never mind all that. Ireland are going to win the World Cup! potentially going to have a chance to qualify via the playoffs. Updated at 11.24pm GMT 9.50pm GMT “I wouldn’t be surprised if Ciro Immobile’s name is sung to the tune of La donna è mobile from Verdi’s Rigoletto,” writes Andy Flintoff (not that one). “If not, then the Italian fans have seriously missed out on sneaking higher culture onto gli curve.” 9.48pm GMT All today's scores Armenia 0-1 HungaryAzerbaijan 0-2 IcelandNorway 4-1 EstoniaAndorra 0-1 AlbaniaEngland 2-0 SerbiaFrance 4-0 UkraineMoldova 0-2 ItalyRepublic of Ireland 2-0 Portugal Updated at 9.48pm GMT 9.47pm GMT “I don‘t know if there is a player who has managed to make himself as unlikable as Cristiano Ronaldo,” emails Rebekah. “I used to like Ronaldo because of his story; he came from relatively poor circumstances and worked hard to get to where he is. But that man has such a terrible ego and attitude. If you’ve ever watched The Boys, he reminds me of Homelander. He’s an egotistical narcissist who can’t accept that the world doesn’t revolve around him and that time’s arrow marches on, regardless of however many pitiful attempts he makes to keep himself in the spotlight … What a waste.” Updated at 11.25pm GMT 9.43pm GMT Full-time! Republic of Ireland 2-0 Portugal That’s a helluva win for the hosts, and they will go to Budapest on Sunday with everything up for grabs. Well, certainly second place in the group. 9.41pm GMT Full time: France 4-0 Ukraine France WILL go to the ball! They are through to World Cup. (Just leaving out the definite article to make it sound more American.) Updated at 9.42pm GMT 9.41pm GMT 90 min +5: Right, I’m calling it. Ireland are going to win! The Portugal fans are looking suitably ashen-faced. Updated at 11.25pm GMT 9.40pm GMT “Is there really an Alessandro Good Morning playing for Italy as The Guardians team sheet suggests?” emails Leon from Australia. Yes indeed. They did have a striker called Immobile, you know. 9.39pm GMT Whoops, sorry, I missed that Italy are 2-0 up in Moldova! 9.38pm GMT 90 min +3: Neves belts a shot a Kelleher. Straight at him. I bet the mood in the Portugal dressing room will be a barrel of laughs tonight. Updated at 11.25pm GMT 9.37pm GMT 90 min: Niall Mullen emailed five Troy Parrott puns. This was the one I liked: “C’est Troy bien” Thanks Niall! Updated at 9.38pm GMT 9.36pm GMT 90 min: Mikey Johnston has a chance to rub Portugal’s noses in it, but his shot is blocked. Kelleher makes an important stop at the other end. We’ll have a minimum of seven minutes of stoppage time. There is a vague sense of Ireland clinging on here, even if they are 2-0 up and a man to the good. 9.33pm GMT Goal! France 4-0 Ukraine (Ekitike) Ekitike. Who else? Updated at 9.34pm GMT 9.32pm GMT 87 min: Changes for Ireland: Jimmy Dunne and Mikey Johnston on for Chiedozie Ogbene and Liam Scales. Festy Ebosele also replaced Azaz a few minutes ago. Updated at 11.26pm GMT 9.31pm GMT Goal! France 3-0 Ukraine (Mbappé) Mbappé. Who else, eh? Eh!? Updated at 9.33pm GMT 9.29pm GMT 83 min: Fun fact: I saw Ronaldo get sent off for Real Madrid at the Bernabéu in 2009. He had already scored twice in a 4-2 win against Almería. Tonight is the 13th time he’s been sent off in his career. Related: Cristiano Ronaldo scores and is then sent off as Real Madrid bounce back Updated at 11.26pm GMT 9.26pm GMT Goal! 76 min: France 2-0 Ukraine (Olise) The former Crystal Palace legend Michael Olise doubles the hosts’ advantage in Paris, and they are well on course to seal their place in the good old U S of A next summer. 9.24pm GMT 79 min: I know what all you Republic of Ireland fans are thinking. They’ll somehow find a way to throw this win away. Keep the faith. 9.23pm GMT “This is too obvious, Luke,” emails Damian of the Parrott-mania we are experiencing, including this YouTube link: Troy by Sinead O’Connor. 9.22pm GMT “I’m in a Lisbon restaurant so this is all highly amusing,” emails Tim. “Most, you might be surprised, are happy to see the back of Ronaldo.” 9.20pm GMT 74 min: Idah of Swansea City, freshly off the bench, looks to make a run beyond Ruben Días but the Manchester City man tidies it up. Republic of Ireland’s opponents have had a man sent off in three consecutive qualifiers in Dublin. Updated at 11.26pm GMT 9.15pm GMT “Assuming Portugal beat Armenia on Sunday and qualify, Ronaldo will surely miss their first two group games next summer,” emails Tim. “That’s got to be a three-match ban for violent conduct?” Agreed. Updated at 9.17pm GMT 9.13pm GMT Goal! Andorra 0-1 Albania Kristjan Asllani gets on the scoresheet on 67 min. Updated at 9.18pm GMT 9.12pm GMT 67 min: Adam Idah will come on for Republic of Ireland. In Paris, it’s still 1-0 to France. “The France-Ukraine match is on TV here in the US and for the possible Ukraine penalty the referee was called to the monitor and stuck with his original call of no foul.,” emails Matt. “Not two minutes later there was minor contact in the France box and a penalty was immediately awarded. For my money the Ukraine shout was a penalty and the France one was more marginal (though square in the “you’ve seen them given” category), so I suppose I’m 0 for 2.” Updated at 11.27pm GMT 9.09pm GMT 62 min: At the other end Ogbene hits a decent low shot and Ireland have a corner. 9.07pm GMT The Ireland fans are loving this. Ronaldo is not loving this. I am loving this. He was bang to rights on replay, it was a petulant elbow on O’Shea who was closely man-marking him. Ronaldo ironically applauds the fans before walking off down the tunnel. He will miss Portugal’s last qualifier and even the start of the World Cup … Updated at 11.27pm GMT 9.06pm GMT Red card for Portugal! Cristiano Ronaldo Good night! Updated at 9.11pm GMT 9.05pm GMT 60 min: The referee is going to the monitor! It’s an elbow by Ronaldo. He’s going off. 9.04pm GMT 59 min: Ronaldo is entering full man-child mode now. Dara O’Shea goes down in a heap after a challenge by Ronaldo, off the ball, in the Republic of Ireland penalty box. Ronaldo is booked. But the VAR is having a look, too … Updated at 11.28pm GMT 9.03pm GMT 57 min: Portugal have got a bit of control in the last few minutes and have begun to push Ireland back. To remind them of the danger that still lurks, Parrott makes a dash downfield. 9.01pm GMT I was watching the action in Dublin so did not see the incident beforehand, but Mbappé just stroked a lovely Panenka-esque penalty down the middle to put France into the lead. Updated at 11.29pm GMT 9.00pm GMT 55 min: Goal! France 1-0 Ukraine (Mbappé pen) France score a penalty of their own! Updated at 9.04pm GMT 8.55pm GMT Penalty check in Paris … for … Ukraine! Dayot Upamecano has gone in with his studs showing on Yehor Nazaryna and the ref has gone to the monitor. It’s no penalty! The immutable rule of VAR checks, that monitor check equals penalty, is thus subverted. For me, I’ve seen them given. Updated at 11.29pm GMT 8.55pm GMT 49 min: These Parrott puns are all very well (and “Parroty” was truly excellent), but there has to be some Trojan War material out there, too? 8.53pm GMT 47 min: Vitinha fluffs an effort at the far post from a corner. Ronaldo, standing under the crossbar, throws his hands in the air and shakes his head. They just don’t like it up ’em, do they? Updated at 8.53pm GMT 8.51pm GMT Nelson Semedo and Renato Veiga are on for Portugal. Ignacio and Cancelo off. 8.50pm GMT Second half kick-off Work away lads. 8.48pm GMT The Aviva DJ has now dropped a nice thick slice of Thin Lizzy at half-time, with The Boys Are Back in Town. You have got to love it. Meanwhile, an email from James: “I see the Republic continue to morph into 2010s Scotland by a) being absolute bobbins (other words are available) most of the time b) putting in stonking performances against much better teams in order to make the inevitable heartbreak that much more painful. “It’s not a light at the end of the tunnel, lads, that’s an oncoming train.” Updated at 11.29pm GMT 8.36pm GMT Half-time: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Portugal Well who’d have thunk it? Ireland are winning 2-0. Andorra 0-0 Albania, France 0-0 Ukraine and Moldova 0-0 Italy are the other scores on the doors, along with England 1-0 Serbia at Wembley. Here’s a spot of half-time reading for you: Related: World Cup 2026 qualifying roundup: Norway sink Estonia to close in on finals Updated at 11.30pm GMT 8.34pm GMT “In mitigation at the sorry state of football these days, it’s not ALL Rory Delapitation and set-pieces,” emails Justin Kavanagh. “We’ve just seen a rabona and a sombrero in Paris, both attempted by flashy French flair boys. Mind you, neither came off! And it’s still nil-nil.” Oh, here’s another one from Justin … “So if the inevitable happens, and Ronaldo scores twice in the second half, will the Portuguese achieve Parrotty? Sorry, I will get my coat now …” Updated at 8.35pm GMT 8.33pm GMT Scratch that! The goal stands. It’s 2-0 to Republic of Ireland! 8.33pm GMT Mind you, the VAR is having a look, and apparently, there is a potential red card for someone, but I don’t know who. 8.32pm GMT It’s another uncomplicated ball over the top. The Portuguese defence can’t get set, Parrott cuts inside and then slides an excellent shot to the near post, that kisses the upright on its way in. The Aviva is in raptures! Updated at 11.30pm GMT 8.31pm GMT 45 min: Goal! Ireland 2-0 Portugal (Parrott) Boom! It’s two. Updated at 8.40pm GMT 8.31pm GMT 44 min: All hands on deck for Republic of Ireland now. Shots are flying in from all angles. But Portugal can’t find a way through. Martinez strokes his chin on the sidelines. 8.29pm GMT 41 min: João Félix tries a bit of trickery in the Irish penalty area. He falls over. Republic of Ireland’s no-nonsense approach is working so far. Updated at 8.29pm GMT 8.25pm GMT 39 min: Now there’s a hell of a scramble in the Ireland area. They clear for a corner eventually. From the set-piece that is taken short, Diogo Dalot smacks a half-volley over the bar, and clutches his head in anguish. Updated at 8.27pm GMT 8.24pm GMT 37 min: After bursting down the left, Ogbene hits a sensational low shot, curling it around the last defender. He’s looking for the far corner, and hits the far post! So unlucky. Great effort. The Portuguese central defenders look all over the shop. Updated at 11.31pm GMT 8.23pm GMT 35 min: More defending to do for Portugal: this time Jake O’Brien launches a long throw into the box and causes a measure of panic. 8.19pm GMT Moldova 0-0 Italy: If the Azzurri don’t win tonight, then Norway are absolutely guaranteed to win Group I. Italy would go into the playoffs. Updated at 11.31pm GMT 8.18pm GMT Bukayo Saka has put England 1-0 up against Serbia. Related: England v Serbia: World Cup 2026 qualifying – live 8.17pm GMT Stalemate in Paris, still. 8.15pm GMT 28 min: Portugal were dominant early doors, but Ireland have forced their way back into this, and indeed taken the lead, with their uncompromisingly direct style. The World Cup dream is still on! Updated at 8.15pm GMT 8.12pm GMT 25 min: Portugal’s Ruben Neves cracks a low shot from distance, straight at the keeper. Kelleher is equal to it. Updated at 11.32pm GMT 8.10pm GMT It’s nil-nil in London, Paris, Chisinau and Encamp (Andorra). Goalless draws really are all the rage, along with long throws and set-pieces. Although I’m sure there will be some goals in those matches, as well. Updated at 8.11pm GMT 8.08pm GMT 23 min: “Parrott’s goal a real sickener for Portugal … well, someone had to,” emails Justin Kavanagh. Get out. 8.06pm GMT France are knocking on the door in Paris. Mbappé shoots low and hard and forces Anatoliy Trubin into a decent save to his left. Updated at 8.07pm GMT 8.05pm GMT 20 min: Ireland are on the rampage! Chiedozie Ogbene darts down the right and cuts back for Azaz, who shoots straight at Costa. 8.04pm GMT There was a big shout for a penalty moments before, for a foul on Parrott of AZ Alkmaar, but Ireland won a corner anyway. It was clipped to the far post, Liam Scales sent a great header back across the six-yard box, and Parrott was there to tuck it into the net from point-blank range! Updated at 8.07pm GMT 8.03pm GMT 17 min: Goal! Ireland 1-0 Portugal (Parrott) It’s there! Updated at 8.13pm GMT 8.03pm GMT 15 min: Ireland have had a couple of bright moments in the last five minutes, including Troy Parrott racing down the right wing. Now, the goalie Diogo Costa gets himself in a mess, and there are big shouts for a penalty after a challenge on Parrott! Updated at 11.32pm GMT 8.01pm GMT In Paris, France are pushing Ukraine back and passing the ball around nicely. Olise is getting his foot on the ball. Rayan Cherki blasts a shot high and wide, while Kylian Mbappé looks to get on the end of a long ball over the top. Updated at 8.03pm GMT 7.58pm GMT 12 min: Portugal have had 82% possession. #Dominant 7.56pm GMT 10 min: At the other end, Ronaldo belts a shot high over the bar from an angle. All five of the 7.45pm kick-offs are nil-nil. Updated at 7.57pm GMT 7.56pm GMT 9 min: Ireland go route one: Kelleher belts it downfield for Finn Azaz, who tries to tuck a ball inside, but it’s cut out. 7.54pm GMT Over in Paris, it’s zero-zero between France and Ukraine. 7.53pm GMT 8 min: He’s gonna flick one … Ronaldo’s whipped effort is blocked by the Ireland wall. 7.53pm GMT 6 min: Portugal are all over Ireland. Vitinha hits from the edge of the box. Josh Cullen penalised for handball. A free-kick, almost dead centre, just outside the box. Ronaldo will hit it. 7.51pm GMT “It might be that Seamus Coleman doesn’t feature much for Everton anymore, but this Everton fan is happy to see both him and Jake O’Brien starting tonight,” emails Matt Burtz. “I’m still of the opinion that Coleman has the best ball control skills of any Everton player over the last 10+ years.” 7.49pm GMT 2 min: Ronaldo tries a cheeky backheel goalwards after a spell of Portugal possession. It’s a comfy save for Caoimhin Kelleher. Ireland’s plan seems to be to sit back and soak up pressure, which may be a dangerous game against an attacking lineup of this quality. 7.46pm GMT Roberto Martínez shakes hands with the Ireland management team, including John O’Shea, and the gaffer Heimir Hallgrimsson. We’re ready to go in Dublin. 7.42pm GMT Who remembers Portugal v Ireland in qualifying for Euro 1996, though? Portugal v Ireland on RTE. 7.41pm GMT The teams are out on the pitch! Portugal, as you saw from the teams below, have a promising young lad called Cristiano Ronaldo playing for them. Updated at 7.44pm GMT 7.38pm GMT The DJ at the Aviva has just dropped this classic. L’Amour Toujours 7.34pm GMT Jamaica will take on Trinidad & Tobago at midnight UK time in CONCACAF third-round, Group B. Billy Munday has written about Steve McClaren’s World Cup bid in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa: Steve McClaren has spoken of a determination to put “a smile on people’s faces” in Jamaica. Over the next six days the former England manager has a golden chance to do so by guiding Jamaica to the World Cup when they play for the first time since Hurricane Melissa. The devastating category 5 storm that made landfall on the island on 28 October is known to have killed 45 people there and displaced tens of thousands of households, with hundreds still in emergency shelters. The prime minister, Andrew Holness, said it had caused damage to homes and key infrastructure roughly equal to the value of a third of the country’s gross domestic product. Related: Steve McClaren’s Jamaica harbour World Cup dream amid storm devastation 7.28pm GMT Parking a car is going to be well expensive at the World Cup, it says here: Related: Parking passes at 2026 World Cup will cost as much as $175 per vehicle 7.17pm GMT The irrepressible Scott Murray has England v Serbia over here: Related: England v Serbia: World Cup 2026 qualifying – live 7.14pm GMT France v Ukraine teams France: Maignan, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne, Kante, Kone, Olise, Cherki, Barcola, Mbappe. Substitutes: Samba, Chevalier, Gusto, Nkunku, Ekitike, Akliouche, Konate, Zaire Emery, Mateta, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Khephren Thuram. Ukraine: Trubin, Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Svatok, Mykhavko, Mykhaylichenko, Ocheretko, Yarmolyuk, Nazaryna, Gutsulyak, Yaremchuk. Substitutes: Volynets, Riznyk, Konoplya, Bondar, Kaliuzhnyi, Vanat, Shaparenko, Tsygankov, Mykolenko, Sudakov, Voloshyn,Zubkov. Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia) Updated at 7.16pm GMT 7.12pm GMT Republic of Ireland v Portugal teams Republic of Ireland (5-3-2): Kelleher; Coleman, Collins, O’Shea, O’Brien, Scales; Azaz, Taylor, Cullen; Ogbene, Parrott. Substitutes: Travers, Bazunu, O’Toole, Moran, McGrath, Kenny, Johnston, Idah, Egan, Ebosele, Dunne, Coventry. Portugal (4-3-3): Costa; Joao Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Dalot; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Ruben Neves; Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo, Joao Felix. Substitutes: Trincao, Veiga, Nelson Semedo, Rui Silva, Leao, Matheus Luiz, Joao Palhinha, Goncalo Ramos, Francisco Conceicao, Forbs, Antonio Silva, Joao Carvalho. Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden) Updated at 7.15pm GMT 7.10pm GMT “Iceland did what they needed, beating Azerbaijan in Baku with two well-worked goals,” emails Kári Tulinius. “Now Icelandic eyes turn to Paris. If the French beat Ukraine, Iceland gets to the playoffs if they get a draw against Ukraine. As an Icelander, I never expect us to qualify for anything, but the side seams to be peaking at just the right time.” 7.08pm GMT This was Ed’s take on Group I. Norway are now six points clear of Italy … Norway lead Italy by three points and no one else can finish in the top two. A win for Norway at home to Estonia on Thursday would in effect secure qualification before they travel to San Siro on Sunday because the astonishing 29 goals plundered by Erling Haaland and co from six matches have given the team a frankly ridiculous goal difference of +26, 16 ahead of Italy. Gennaro Gattuso’s side need maximum points from their games, which start in Moldova on Thursday, and a Norway slip against Estonia to avoid the playoff for which they appear destined as they try to qualify for a first World Cup since 2014. Related: World Cup 2026 European qualifying: when, how and who needs what? 7.04pm GMT Final scores in Uefa qualifying thus far today. Armenia 0-1 HungaryAzerbaijan 0-2 IcelandNorway 4-1 Estonia Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland both scored twice in Norway’s win. 7.01pm GMT And here is Ed Aarons’ take on Group D: France have a playoff in the bag courtesy of the Nations League and will qualify in top spot if they beat Ukraine in Paris on Thursday. Even a draw would leave France set fair going into their final game in Azerbaijan given they lead Ukraine by three points and have a goal difference superior by five. An Iceland win in Baku on Thursday coupled with a France victory over Ukraine would move Iceland second on goal difference before they face Ukraine on Sunday in Warsaw. Azerbaijan’s very slim hopes of sneaking into a playoff require victories over Iceland and France and sufficiently improving their -9 goal difference. 6.55pm GMT Full-time: Armenia 0-1 Hungary Ireland need a result of some sort in Dublin, then. Lose and they’re out. Updated at 6.57pm GMT 6.51pm GMT Into stoppage time in Yerevan … it was Barnabas Varga who got the goal for Hungary. Updated at 6.51pm GMT 6.47pm GMT Andorra v Albania teams Andorra: Ruiz, Borra, Llovera, Olivera, San Nicolas, Rodrigo Tapia, Babot, de las Heras, Cervos, Rosas, Lopez. Substitutes: Antoni Gomes, Pires, Gomes, Rebes, De Pablos, Remolins, Ferreira, Ricard Fernandez, Moreno, Rubio, Teixeira, Marc Garcia. Albania: Strakosha, Hysaj, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj, Shehu, Asllani, Laci, Broja, Manaj, Hoxha. Substitutes: Balliu, Ismajli, Ramadani, Aliji, Medon Berisha, Uzuni, Daku, Dajsinani, Tuci, Simoni, Asani, Bajrami. Referee: Horatiu Fesnic (Romania) 6.45pm GMT Ed Aarons has been busy looking at the permutations across all the Uefa qualifying groups: Related: World Cup 2026 European qualifying: when, how and who needs what? And as for Group F: An injury-time equaliser by Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai in Lisbon last month has made Portugal wait a little longer to book their place. Two points from games in the Republic of Ireland on Thursday and at home to Armenia on Sunday would guarantee top spot. Hungary, who are second, one point ahead of Ireland, would secure a playoff on Thursday if they win in Armenia and Ireland lose to Portugal. Otherwise the playoff spot may come down to Hungary’s game against Ireland in Budapest on Sunday. Updated at 6.48pm GMT 6.45pm GMT Moldova v Italy teams Moldova: Kozhukhar, Stefan, Craciun, Dumbravanu, Reabciuk, Perciun, Rata, Ionita, Revenco, Nicolaescu, Postolachi. Substitutes: Platica, Fratea, Forov, Damascan, Cucos, Caimacov, Bors, Bogaciuc, Bitca, Avram, Bodisteanu, Timbur. Italy: Vicario, Bellanova, Mancini, Buongiorno, Cambiaso, Cristante, Tonali, Orsolini, Raspadori, Zaccagni, Scamacca. Substitutes: Bastoni, Politano, Locatelli, Retegui, Gabbia, Frattesi, Esposito, Ricci, Donnarumma, Dimarco, Di Lorenzo, Carnesecchi. Referee: Mykola Balakin (Ukraine) Updated at 6.47pm GMT 6.39pm GMT As it stands, with Hungary winning 1-0 in Armenia, Republic of Ireland would need at least a point tonight to stay in with a mathematical chance. They would be four points behind if they lose and three behind with a draw. A win tonight would set up a winner-takes-all clash in Budapest against Hungary on Sunday. Updated at 6.49pm GMT 6.30pm GMT Preamble France can qualify for next year’s Donald Trump-themed World Cup in North America by beating Ukraine at Parc des Princes in fashionable Paris tonight, while Portugal can do the same if they defeat Republic of Ireland at fortress Aviva in Dublin. It looks like Ireland, on the other hand, need to beat the visitors to stay in the hunt for second place in Group F with Hungary currently winning 1-0 in Armenia. Last month, Ireland suffered a late loss to tonight’s opponents on the continent, so the pressure is very much on. Azerbaijan v Iceland, Armenia v Hungary, Norway v Estonia, Moldova v Italy and Andorra v Albania are also on tonight’s menu, along with the small matter of England v Serbia at Wembley. (Super Tommy Tuchel’s team are already qualified, in case you didn’t know.) The France v Ukraine and Ireland v Portugal fixtures, in Group D and Group F respectively, are the ones we’ll mainly focus on here. I just need to check down the back of the sofa to scrape together the pay-per-view match fees (£2.49 a pop on Amazon Prime Video) and we’ll be ready to go. Team news, previews, news and other good things coming up. Kick-offs: 7.45pm UK time