Ireland will be looking to pick up their first victory of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but the task does not get much trickier as they travel to Lisbon to face an in-form Portugal side.
Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions, are unbeaten in five matches and have started qualifying in ruthless fashion, thrashing Armenia 5-0 before beating Hungary 3-2 in early September.
Meanwhile, Ireland, under the management of Heimir Hallgrimsson, are winless in four and have so far picked up just one point in Group F following a 2-2 draw with Hungary and 2-1 defeat to Armenia.
Hallgrimsson admitted his side need a “nearly perfect game” if they are to get anything from the match with Portugal, who, in 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, have a player with yet another goalscoring record in his sights.
After his penalty against Hungary last month, Ronaldo is just one goal away from becoming the out-right top scorer in men’s World Cup qualifying history.
He is currently tied on 39 goals with Guatemala’s now-retired Carlos Ruiz, and three ahead of Lionel Messi.
Portugal team news
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez makes two changes from the side that edged to a 3-2 win over Hungary last time out.
Diogo Dalot replaces Joao Cancelo, the match-winner in Budapest, at right-back. Cancelo is absent from the squad due to injury.
Joao Neves is also missing because of a thigh issue. Ruben Neves takes his place in midfield after starting in defence against Hungary. Goncalo Inacio partners Ruben Dias at centre-back.
Portugal: Costa; Dalot, Inacio, Dias, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Fernandes; Bernardo, Ronaldo, Neto.
Ireland team news
Ireland make three changes from the side that lost to Armenia 2-1 in their previous fixture.
Seamus Coleman, Jayson Molumby and Festy Ebosele all come into the side.
Jayson Knight, Jack Taylor and Finn Azaz all drop out of the XI in a defensive set-up for the visitors.
Ireland: Kelleher; Collins, O’Shea, O’Brien; Coleman, Ebosele, Cullen, Molumby, Manning; Ferguson, Ogbene.
