The Portuguese team came to Dublin with the goal of officially winning a ticket to the 2026 World Cup .

Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates missed out on early home qualification last month, when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Hungary in extra time.

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Ronaldo and his teammates are very close to the 2026 World Cup. Photo: Miguel Nunes/A Bola

“I hope the team will qualify for the World Cup here ,” captain Ronaldo said upon arriving in Dublin, where Portugal will play the Republic of Ireland.

Ronaldo doesn't want to put pressure on his teammates: "We know this isn't a decisive match, but it feels like it is.

The important thing to understand is that if we win, we will qualify for the finals. The team is playing well, we know it will be a complicated, difficult match against a very strong team physically. We also know this is a special opportunity and we are completely ready . "

In the first leg in Lisbon, Portugal struggled to a 1-0 win thanks to Ruben Neves' stoppage-time goal.

Coach Roberto Martinez admitted that he will make tactical and personnel changes to seek 3 points when meeting Ireland again - the team that lost its main striker Evan Ferguson.

Portugal's door to North America is wide open. Even if they don't win in Ireland, they will still have the final say when they host Armenia at home in three days.

If Portugal draw in Dublin and Hungary fail to win in Armenia, Martinez and his team will officially be awarded a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

“Ireland are very good without the ball, defending well ,” Martinez said. “The next game is a really important test for us.

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Ronaldo has been in great form under Roberto Martinez. Photo: Miguel Nunes/A Bola

Ireland will use the power of their fans and set pieces. The game will have very different phases . ”

Portugal are looking to Ronaldo to make the difference. The 40-year-old captain has scored 25 goals in 28 games under Roberto Martinez.

“I am very happy to have lived in Martinez's peak period ,” Ronaldo said of his achievements.

“I want to continue like this, because I am doing well. Now we can close this qualifying round and the whole team is happy about that . ”

Force:

Ireland: Mark Sykes, Evan Ferguson, Sammie Szmodics injured.

Portugal: Pedro Neto, Pedro Goncalves injured.

Expected lineup:

Ireland (3-4-2-1): Kelleher; O ' Brien, Collins, O ' Shea; Coleman, Cullen, Taylor, Johnston; Ebosele, Azaz; Parrott .

Portugal (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Inacio, Nuno Mendes; Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Neves, Vitinha ; Bernardo Silva , Ronaldo, Rafael Leao .

Match odds: Portugal handicap 1 1/4

Goal ratio: 2 3/4

Prediction: Portugal win 2-1 .

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-ireland-vs-bo-dao-nha-vong-loai-world-cup-2026-2462279.html