{"id":22937,"date":"2021-09-01T16:04:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T20:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22937"},"modified":"2021-09-03T11:06:50","modified_gmt":"2021-09-03T15:06:50","slug":"ronaldos-late-goals-break-irelands-hearts-in-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22937","title":{"rendered":"Ronaldo’s Late Goals Break Ireland’s Hearts In Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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John Egan’s first-half header put the Republic of Ireland ahead at half-time (INPHO\/Ryan Byrne)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Republic of Ireland were denied a deserved point or more in Portugal due to two late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo in what was an excellent performance from the away side and a very bitter pill to swallow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ireland went ahead thanks to a John Egan right on halftime but it was undone by a brace of goals by Ronaldo added on time. Stephen Kenny handed Jamie McGrath his first start for Ireland and Aaron Connolly returned to the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite early chances for the home side after Portugal won a series of corners, all were dealt with, as captain Seamus Coleman led a solid defensive line. Portugal was awarded a penalty after Jeff Hendrick was deemed to have brought Bruno Fernandes down in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a lengthy delay due to a VAR check, Gavin Bazunu did excellently to deny Cristiano Ronaldo with a brilliant low save to his right. Ireland went close from a Jamie McGrath corner which found its way to Aaron Connolly at the back post but his curling effort went wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a clever counter-attack, Connolly\u2019s initial shot found its way to Seamus Coleman but Rui Patr\u00edcio was alert to the danger. Diogo Jota went close for the hosts but the post denied him as Bazunu looked to have it covered. Ireland continued to press and Adam Idah was central to each attack and he laid the ball off to Connolly on the edge of the area but it curled over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ireland had another great chance as Connolly broke free of the defense on the left but his shot was blocked at the near post by Rui Patr\u00edcio after the stopper came out to close down the angles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ireland took the lead from the resulting corner as Jamie McGrath delivered a pinpoint cross from the corner which was met John Egan at the near post which was guided past Patr\u00edcio into the back of the net.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another fine save by Bazunu denied Diogo Jota right on half time as his volley was collected on the second attempt. The second half saw both sides test their respective defensives but the best of the opportunities fell to Ireland as Jamie McGrath played an excellent through ball to Aaron Connolly but he couldn\u2019t make the opportunity count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bruno Fernandes went close for the hosts but his curling effort just went past Bazunu\u2019s far post. Connolly went close again following a John Egan knockdown but his volley went wide. Shane Duffy denied Portugal a certain equalizer as a cross from the right was blocked on the line by the defender and from the follow-up attempt, Bazunu calmly saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bernardo Silva had a fantastic opportunity after taking the ball into the area but his shot was well blocked by Adam Idah for a corner. Bernardo Silva got in behind the Irish defense following a Ronaldo cross but his effort went over the bar. Portugal continued to press but Ireland’s defense held firm with Adam Idah spearheading Ireland’s pacy counter-attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joao Mario had a great opportunity to restore parity only for an excellent block by Josh Cullen, from a resulting free-kick Bazunu once again denied Ronaldo from a free-kick as he pushed it clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ronaldo did equalize for Portugal, however, as a cross from the right was met by the Portugal talisman on the eighteen-yard line to head it past Bazunu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He would get his second goal in the 95th minute in Portugal’s last attack with Ronaldo scoring his second to seal the win for the home side and deny Ireland a well-deserved point, which could have been all three.<\/p>\n

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