Ireland 0-0 Portugal: Pepe was sent off to frustrate Cristiano Ronaldo

The Republic of Ireland thwarted reports and highlights of the 10-man Portugal team; Pepe was sent off twice late in Dublin; Stephen Kenny's side still had a chance to finish third; portugal will face a winner-take-all clash with Serbia on Sunday to secure automatic World Cup qualification

The Republic of Ireland performed well, drawing 0-0 with Portugal 10, while Portugal's hopes of automatically qualifying for next year's World Cup now depend on Sunday's all-win tie with Serbia.

Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, dominated early encounters with Gavin Bazunu, who had to save from Andre Silva and Simo Coleman to block the United striker's shot, but the hosts remained firm at midpoint in the first half.

Ronaldo wasted his best chance in the middle of the second half, bringing Out Andre Silva's cross before Portugal's challenge disappeared as Pepe was sent out of two bookings in the second half.

Stephen Kenny's side tried to take advantage of their numerical superiority, but they were forced to score a point, and if they were able to beat Luxembourg in the final game of Sunday's campaign, they had a chance to finish third.

Meanwhile, in the draw, Portugal led Group A with a goal difference and ahead of Serbia, which took on Home to Lisbon on Sunday, in a bid to secure their spot at the World Cup in Qatar.

Portugal — leaving the bench on Sunday with just one eye of yellow card players João Cancello, Diogo Jota, Renato Sanchez, Ruben Díaz and Jose Fonte — started with the front foot, banzunu had to be wary of tilting Andre Silva's shot from a small angle on the flank, while Simos Coleman threw himself into Ronaldo's shot moments later.

Ronaldo thought he should be awarded a penalty in the middle of the first half under the challenge of Matt Doherty, but the referee allowed the game to continue and allowed the home team to launch a counterattack.

Callum Robinson led the home charge, and he forced Rui Patricio to start with a curled effort from the left before scoring another long-range shot just before half-time.

The Republic of Ireland didn't just hold their own side, they created their last chances at half-time when Quitoziogben's header crossed over Robinson's cross to the near post

Ronaldo looked frustrated, showing up at the start of the second half after being brushed off by Coleman, with Portugal's centre-backs Pepe and Danilo looking less convincing at pace against Ogburn and Ireland feeling a chance.

He could have done better when Matthews Nunes' turnovers gave Josh Karren a chance to shoot, but Ronaldo could have done better when he fired a free kick straight at Duffy a few seconds later.

However, when Ronaldo's header in the 67th minute deflected off the far post, Republic had a major relief while Barzunu was grounded on the spot.

Pepe, who had been warned earlier for handball, was fired after misjudging Robinson in the 82nd minute, triggering an Irish attack late, with Wilkion coming on as a substitute, but Ronaldo might have won six minutes if it weren't for Barzunu's close-up post interception.

"I would say this, yes [it's the best result of Stephen Kenny's tenure so far].

"To get a result against Portugal, we listed it as one of the top ten international teams, which is a big result for Kenny.

"It shows that a certain level of progress has been made and that the Irish side are entering this campaign, you will see the Match for Portugal and think we need to get a point to try to qualify.

'It was clear that the early results put the team in a bad position in terms of qualification, but there were signs of improvement, against Portugal, which was a good point and gave them the opportunity to finish the game in third place in the group.

Former Republic of Ireland international Phil Babb:

"The Republic of Ireland is growing in the game, you can see confidence growing, the crowds coming in a little bit, you can see the momentum. But I actually feel that I don't want to take anything away from ireland's performance, but that's not the typical Portuguese side.

"I definitely feel like they came to the game to try to draw. They only focus on Sunday's match in Lisbon. They had come to draw, but they didn't have any sharp thrust.

"But Ireland could be a little disappointed that they can't win. They've really grown in the game over the last 10 minutes, trying to create, but they just don't have that kind of tip or that little bit of classroom needed in front of the goal. ”

Republic of Ireland striker Carlem Robinson: "Winning is the most important thing, but it proves how much progress we have come as a team in competition with the top players, the best players, and we have done a good job with him (Cristiano Ronaldo).

"We had a couple of half-time chances but it wasn't. This game proves that we are moving in the right direction.

"The fans are here, it's a fantastic feeling, it's nice to get results for them and we dig deeper. On another night, if we had half the chance, we could have won. ”

Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy won his 50th appearance against Portugal: "I think we did a fantastic job. The team has made more progress and we were a little disappointed that we didn't win, it was a really brave show.

"We have zero goals conceded against one of the best teams in the world and have chances, so there are a lot of positives.

"If someone told you you were going to get 50 appearances for your country, you would laugh. I'm very proud of what I've achieved so far, it's tough.

"You never know if this will be your last, so you want to enjoy every moment."

Republic of Ireland Captain Simos Coleman: "From the very beginning you can see what we want to do, we look comfortable in a lot of games.

"Of course, I want him [Stephen Kenny] to stay. You can see from the support that they are enjoying football, the players are brave, want the ball, enjoy the ball.

'I love playing for Ireland and as players we really enjoy it.

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny: "I think we were a little nervous at the start and Portugal was very good in the early days. In the second half I think we were the better team.

"We scored a legitimate goal, it wasn't a foul, Wilkion stuck to his ground and we were disappointed with [the decision].

"We've played against them twice, 88 minutes later to take a 1-0 lead and in the second half tonight I think we were very good.

"There's still room for improvement, but we have more shots than they do. It's a good performance. We've evolved and you can see the way we play.

"In nine games, we only lost one, in the 97th minute at Faro. We are progressing well. ”