Republic of Ireland impress with draw as Portugal’s Pepe is sent off

11-Nov-2021 21:52:54 | The Guardian

No goals and few clear chances but nearly 50,000 Irish spectators left the stadium satisfied after watching their team give as good as they got against a team who will be among the favourites if they reach next year’s World Cup. Portugal will do that as winners of Group A if they avoid defeat to Serbia on Sunday. But they were grateful to depart from Dublin with a point after being flustered by Stephen Kenny’s bright Irish team, who spent the final 10 minutes pressing for victory after Pepe was sent off for a second bookable offence.

“We’re proud of how the team played against one of the best teams in the world but we’re a little disappointed not to have won it,” said Shane Duffy, whose performance in the heart of Ireland’s back three helped to keep Cristiano Ronaldo off the score sheet.