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The United Arab Emirates struck late goals through Marcus Meloni and Caio Lucas to earn a 2-1 win over Oman in Doha on Saturday as Cosmin Olaroiu's side battled back to keep their hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup alive, Reuters reported.

Caio Lucas hit the fortuitous winner seven minutes from time after Meloni scored with a 76th minute header to cancel out an own goal by Kouame Kouadio that gave Oman a 12th minute lead.

The win moves the UAE to the cusp of their first appearance at the World Cup since 1990 with Olaroiu's team only needing a draw away to Qatar on Tuesday to progress as winners of Group A in the fourth phase of Asia's preliminaries, according to Reuters.

Spain continued their dominant World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Georgia after goals from Jeremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal at Elche's Manuel Martinez Valero stadium on Saturday, Reuters reported ​​​​​​.

The win extended the European champions' perfect run in Group E as they edge closer to a place at the 2026 tournament having scored 11 goals in three matches without conceding.

Spain are top with nine points, three ahead of Turkey, while Georgia remain third on three. Bulgaria sit bottom, having suffered three consecutive defeats, according to Reuters ​​​​​​.

Italy's hopes of at least making the World Cup qualifying playoffs were given a boost with a 3-1 win away to Estonia on Saturday thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Francesco Pio Esposito, Reuters reported.

Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after Norway's 5-0 hammering of Israel in Group I earlier on Saturday.

The Norwegians are top on 18 points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of Israel. Estonia remain fourth on three points, according to Reuters.

Portugal's Ruben Neves scored a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win over Ireland that preserved their 100% record in World Cup qualifying Group F and consolidated top spot on Saturday, Reuters reported.

Portugal moved to nine points at the halfway stage of the campaign with a five-point lead over second-placed Hungary, who they host on Tuesday when they could secure qualification.

Neves headed home a minute into added time at the Estadio Jose Alvalade for his first international goal in 60 appearances, according to Reuters.