The Republic of Ireland secured another point in this qualification campaign holding a ten-man Portugal to a scoreless draw in the Aviva Stadium. Stephen Kenny’s spoke of his side playing ‘above themselves’ in this contest and they did so for much of the game as Portugal were left frustrated by their fruitless endeavours. Ireland did have chances to seal the three points themselves but was left to rue big chances on either side of the first half.

WHAT A SAVE!!! Ronaldo got in behind the defence and Bazunu blocks!

Five added minutes here.

Callum Robinson has got Player of the Match

Ireland are fairly turning the screw now and are creating some chances now they have the numerical advantage, can they make them count.

Well, this could be a massive turning point, it appeared that Pepe flicked an arm out at Callum Robinson and the referee gives him a second yellow card and he is off. Portugal is down to ten men.

That went closer than a lot of people thought initially, Ronaldo with an excellent curling effort that literally was inches from going in. He knew it and the Irish fans knew it, close call once again.

For a handball, Pepe gets a yellow card.

Danilo gets a yellow card as his running battle with Ogbene continues on the pitch.

That was some chance for Ronaldo but he couldn't keep his effort on target and it flies past the far post of Bazunu. We then had a pitch invader who went for Ronaldo and but was fiercely tackled by the stewards.

Attendance 50,007 here tonight, the biggest home crowd since the pandemic.

By all accounts, this is an entertaining game but Ireland has been solid and resolute throughout. This is very much still in the melting pot.

Adam Idah comes on for Jamie McGrath.

Double sub for Portugal Gonçalo Guedes is replaced by Rafael Leão and Matheus Nunes is replaced by João Moutinho

From the free-kick from Ronaldo, Shane Duffy uses his head to block the effort and it goes wide.

For a foul on Silva, Coleman is given a yellow card.

A mistake in the defence sees Ogbene with a clever pass to Josh Cullen but his low curling effort is well saved.

Ogbene has come out all guns blazing here, he is pressing the Portugal defence at every opportunity and they are not liking it.

We are back underway and immediately Ireland has a free kick in a dangerous position.

HALF TIME: Both sides have had spells of opportunity and possession but Ireland will feel that they were the better side. You have a feeling that there is a goal in it for Stephen Kenny's side and Portugal when pushing forward look very dangerous. Ronaldo is always lurking.

Two added minutes here at the end of the first half at the Aviva Stadium.

Big chance for Ireland as Robinson\'s cross is met by Ogbene and he heads it just wide at the near post!

Danilo getting his own back on Ogbene with a heavy challenge and it's a free-kick to Ireland just inside their own half.

Fernandes has a sight on goal that takes a deflection off Shane Duffy and it's a corner to Portugal which is cleared at the first attempt.

A build-up down the right starting with Jamie McGrath and Ogbebne sees Robinson take a shot but its whistles past Patrico's post.

Egan's header towards the goal from the corner looks to have taken a slight deflection however the referee points to a goal kick.

Robinson wins Ireland a corner, McGrath to take.

Things are getting a little tetchy here, Chiedozie Ogbene gets a yellow card following a challenge on Semedo.

Ireland's very own CR7 opts to take a shot on Patrico as he cut in from the left-wing, his effort is well saved by the keeper.

Twenty-five minutes in, Ireland looking comfortable on the ball but Portugal beginning to hunt in packs looking to pick someone off.

It appeared Ronaldo got in behind the defence, however, he wasn't getting past Bazunu as he slid in at his feet to stop him. It was offside however and Ronaldo didn't look best too pleased.

Silva seeing an opening tries his luck from distance but the RB Leipzig's shot goes well wide of the target.

What a block! John Egan blocks down Ronaldo's low effort as Nunes cross finds the Manchester United forwards advancing run into the area. Egan was on hand to put his body on the line to deny Ronaldo's shot testing Bazunu's gloves.

The first shot on target for the visitors as Silva's effort forces a smart top by Bazunu at the near post. It's a corner to Portugal which is cleared by Cullen.

Doherty breaks down the right-wing and Dalot appears to have the last touch but the linesman calls for a goal kick.

Ronaldo gets in behind the defence but Matt Doherty is on hand to force the corner, the corner is taken short and Guedes tries his luck in the area but it's blocked down by John Egan.

The corner is sent in and the ball does fall to Callum Robinson, his surprise and the alert Portugal defence takes the ball away from his feet, however.

A deft dummy by Jeff Hendrick forces Pepe to concede a corner.

A fair few hefty challenges being throw-in, Ireland making no bones of pressing high and not giving the Portuguese players much if any time on the ball.

We are underway with Ronaldo kick us off at the Aviva Stadium.

We are just about ready for kick-off here.

The scene is set, the stadium is filling up nicely and the words of Jack Charlton are echoing around the stadium. We are almost ready for the main event.

Team news from the Ireland camp: Captain Seamus Coleman returns to the starting eleven to replace Andrew Omobamidele who had been a doubt for tonight's game. Callum Robinson is supported by Jamie McGrath and Chiedozie Ogbene in Irelands front three attack tonight.

Tonights referee is Jesús Gil Manzano and his Fourth official is Ricardo de Burgos and the Assistant referees are Iñigo Prieto and Ángel Nevado. All hail from Spain.

Two years ago today Jamie McGrath played his last game for Dundalk as he scored in the 6-0 Unite the Union Cup win over Linfield at Oriel Park. Now he's starting for his country at a sold-out Aviva coming up against the likes of Bruno Fernandes in midfield.

Gavin Bazunu has just come out to a massive reception from the Ireland home fans, he was the man who denied Ronaldo a penalty in Faro in the reserve match of this contest.

Good evening from the Aviva Stadium, there is a quiet but growing expectation from the ground as the fans begin the fill the ground. This could be one of the epic nights, think of Holland, think of Germany, this is where the magic of the Irish national team comes alive. While all the talk will be of a certain Ronaldo figure that looms large, Stephen Kenny's thundering young Irish side is ready and relishing the challenge. Hi, I'm Ciaran Callan and I am delighted to be here to bring you the coverage as it happens.