Martínez Turns to Dalot, Neves for Portugal’s Qualifier vs Ireland

A hush fell across Portuguese social media within minutes of the team sheet dropping. Word spread quickly: Roberto Martínez has chosen Diogo Dalot on the right flank and Rúben Neves as the midfield metronome for this evening’s qualifier against Ireland. For supporters from Bragança to Faro, the selection signals a blend of caution and ambition as Portugal look to tighten their grip on a World Cup berth.

Why Martínez Banked on Old Souls in Young Bodies

Martínez’s staff kept their cards close until late afternoon, but the logic behind today’s picks is clear. In the absence of an injured João Cancelo, the coach leans on Dalot’s two-way sharpness—his ability to tuck inside when Portugal swarm possession and still burst forward when Cristiano Ronaldo drifts centrally. Neves, meanwhile, returns to the XI after quietly re-establishing himself as the squad’s set-piece architect during September’s camp. Training-ground observers noticed the midfielder clipping diagonal balls onto the boots of Rafael Leão with unnerving consistency, a sight the Estádio do Dragão crowd will hope to witness under the floodlights.

Tactical Ripples the Selection Creates

Ireland travel with a five-man back line that drains space between the lines. Martínez responds by fielding Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, and Neves in a carousel intended to pull Irish pivots out of shape. Expect Dalot to invert into midfield when Portugal build from the back, freeing Nuno Mendes to press high on the opposite wing. The idea is simple: overload the half-spaces, pin the visitors’ wide men, and give Neves the pocket he needs to unleash his signature long-range radar. Should the plan stagnate, João Félix lurks on the bench, ready to turn three midfielders into a box-midfield diamond.

Irish Eyes Are Narrowing on Two Names

Across the Celtic Sea, pundits on RTÉ and in the Irish Times flagged Dalot’s tendency to wander as a potential opening for the pacy Chiedozie Ogbene. Yet they also pointed out that the Manchester United full-back has improved his recovery runs—clocking the fastest top speed of any Portuguese defender in the last UEFA Nations League window. Neves draws even more attention. Irish analysts remember the Wolverhampton alumnus punishing them with a stoppage-time header last October. “Stop Neves between the lines and you starve Portugal,” one Dublin radio host warned this morning, acknowledging the midfielder’s role as the Lusitanos’ tempo-setter.

Hard Numbers Behind the Call-Up

Since January, Dalot has logged 621 international minutes, completed 87% of his passes, and delivered 21 open-play crosses—more than any other Portuguese full-back. Neves enters tonight with 423 minutes under the national crest in 2025, including an 81% duel-success rate against high presses. While the duo’s combined goal tally is modest—one each this calendar year—the staff value their positional discipline: Dalot averages only 0.7 fouls per match, Neves 0.5, keeping Portugal off referees’ notebooks when possession flips.

What to Look for at the Dragão

Supporters heading to Porto should monitor three flashpoints. First, the triangle of Dalot, Bernardo, and Gonçalo Ramos down the right: if it clicks, Irish defenders will spend the evening facing their own goal. Second, how Neves copes when Ireland’s Alan Browne presses in pairs; the Wolves alumnus sometimes prefers an extra touch before releasing the ball. Finally, the intersection of nerves and expectation: the crowd’s impatience has surfaced early in recent home fixtures. A brisk opening goal would silence grumbles and let Portugal control tempo.

The Broader Road to North America

Victory tonight would place Portugal within touching distance of an automatic ticket to 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Three points push Martínez’s side to 19 points from 7 matches, potentially allowing rotation when they visit Helsinki next month. For Dalot and Neves, another solid shift could entrench them as first-choice options heading into the March friendlies—no small feat given the depth at full-back and in central midfield. Lose, and the group tightens, turning November into a nail-biter.

Either way, Portugal’s path toward another World Cup chapter runs through the Dragão’s bright blue seats tonight. With Dalot bombing forward and Neves pulling the strings, the Seleção das Quinas trusts familiar faces to deliver a result the nation now expects as standard.