It looked as though Portugal would lose its perfect record in Group F when Ronaldo saw a spot-kick saved by Caoimhin Kelleher, but Neves's first senior international goal broke Irish hearts at the death.

Portugal's first real attack saw Ronaldo strike the base of the post from the edge of the area, and Bernardo Silva somehow failed to turn the rebound into a gaping net.

Vitinha saw an attempt from distance deflect onto the top of Kelleher's net as Portugal continued to dominate possession, but Ireland made it to half-time at 0-0 as its goalkeeper made a sprawling save to keep out Ronaldo's header at his near post.

Portugal continued to boss proceedings in the second half, but Ronaldo scuffed wide after taking in Bruno Fernandes' pass with a lovely touch, while Kelleher got down to his left to turn Vitinha's curler around the post.

The hosts' best opportunity came when substitute Francisco Trincao cut inside and fired off a shot that crashed into Dara O'Shea, with referee Ivan Kruzliak immediately awarding a penalty for handball.

The decision stood after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, but Kelleher flicked out his left leg after diving and turned Ronaldo's weak spot-kick over the crossbar.

But in the first of seven minutes of second-half stoppage-time, Neves proved the hero, getting ahead of Kelleher to nod Trincao's in-swinging cross home and lift the Selecao to nine points.

Ronaldo has now failed to score three of the past five penalties he has taken for Portugal, excluding shootouts.