Key events
60 min: The referee is going to the monitor! It’s an elbow by Ronaldo. He’s going off.
59 min: Ronaldo is entering full man-child mode now. Dara O’Shea goes down in the 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 …
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.
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.
55 min: Goal! France 1-0 Ukraine (Mbappé pen)
France score a penalty of their own!
Penalty check in Paris … for … Ukraine! Dayot Upamecano has gone in with his studs showing 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.
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?
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?
Nelson Semedo and Renato Veiga are on for Portugal. Ignacio and Cancelo off.
Second half kick-off
Work away lads.
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.”
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 –
“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 …”
Scratch that! The goal stands. It’s 2-0 to Republic of Ireland!
Mind you, the VAR is having a look, and apparently, there is a potential red card for someone, but I don’t know who.
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!
45 min: Goal! Ireland 2-0 Portugal (Parrott)
Boom! It’s two.
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.
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.
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.
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 are looking a bit all over the shop.
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.
Moldova 0-0 Italy: If the Azzurri don’t win tonight, then Norway are guaranteed to win Group I. Italy would go into the playoffs.
Bukayo Saka has put England 1-0 up against Serbia.
Stalemate in Paris, still.
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!
25 min: Ruben Neves cracks a low shot from distance, straight at the keeper. Kelleher is equal to it.
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.
23 min: “Parrott’s goal a real sickener for Portugal … well, someone had to,” emails Justin Kavanagh.
Get out.
France are knocking on the door in Paris. Mbappé shoots low and hard and forces Anatoliy Trubin into a decent save to his left.
20 min: Ireland are on the rampage! Chiedozie Ogbene darts down the right and cuts back for Azaz, who shoots straight at Costa.
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!
17 min: Goal! Ireland 1-0 Portugal (Parrott)
It’s there!
