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1st September 2021
09:49pm BST
His passing out of the back put his side in trouble on a couple of occasions - including the penalty concession. Made up for that with a superb penalty save from Ronaldo. Bruno Fernandes almost squirmed a shot under him, but he scrambled well. Got behind some second half drives and exuded calm. Excellent save to repel a Ronaldo free-kick. Could do little to keep the headers out from Ronaldo.
Dara O'Shea - 6
Had started brightly and made a couple of nice interceptions before an ankle injury ended his night.
Seamus Coleman - 8
Another exceptional performance from the Ireland captain. Tidy at the back and kept getting forward in support of McGrath when he could. Got a vital block on a Silva goal-bound effort. Kept Ronaldo very, very quiet.
Shane Duffy - 8
One diving block in the first half showed you he was well up for this one. Made an insane diving header block, early in the second half. Head was like a ball magnet, at times.
John Egan - 9
His first Ireland goal was reminiscent of Roy Keane's header against Juventus in 1999. Showed up in the box to cushion a header to Connolly, and it should have been 2-0. Bravely threw his head in to deny Paulinha.
Josh Cullen - 7
Some really tidy passing in the centre of the pitch, and was not flustered by the big games around him. Spread the play well and put some nice balls over the top. Kept a tight lid on Bruno Fernandes. Two diving header clearances from headers, and he made it a hat-trick, soon after.
Jeff Hendrick - 8
Got Bazunu out of early trouble after an under-hit pass. Could not repeat the dose, on 11 minutes, and it led to a penalty. Got his head on a couple of tricky Portugal crosses.
Matt Doherty - 9
Nice early run, up the left, and a silky pass to put Connolly clear. Was an attacking threat up the left as he showed the form of old. Got under the skin of the Portugal players and fans, which told you he was doing something right. Came back to save the day after McGrath and Duffy had been caught out. Blessed when Silva blazed over when he made his one big slip-up.
Jamie McGrath - 7
Was industrious throughout, and linked up well with Coleman on the right. Lovely in-swinging corner for Egan's goal. Sloppy in possession, 0n 68 minutes, but Doherty saved the day. Plugged away all night, and showed he is of international standard.
Adam Idah - 8
A superb game from the Norwich frontman. Linked up well with Connolly, his midfield, held the ball up and waited for support and was a source of annoyance for the Portuguese back four. Kept it up in the second half and won some pressure-relieving frees.
Aaron Connolly - 5
All you can say is, the lad never stopped trying. Ran the ball out of play in his first joust with Pepé, and that set the tone. Still, he never stopped going and annoyed lads in red jerseys, as well as green. A couple of shots blazed over and Idah was fuming he did not square the ball for a shot. Still, he won the corner that led to the Egan goal. Could have had one penalty, should have had another soon after.
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