After another great night for Irish football in Portugal on Saturday night the way is left open for Ireland to qualify for their first major championships since the 1994 World Cup.

The World Cup qualifying Group 2 table doesn't make good reading on first sight, with Ireland in second last place - but when everything is weighed up, Ireland are in the best position that they have been in years to qualify for something.

If this is achieved it will be no more than the players and the fans deserve.

The fans were absolutely magnificent in the Stadium of Light on Saturday as they turned up from all corners of Ireland and Europe to support the Boys in Green.

It was like the old days again as the Irish national anthem was sung with gusto by thousands of fans before the game. It forced the Portuguese crowd to a rousing rendition of their own anthem.

The defensive showing from Ireland against Portugal was nothing short of brilliant. Everybody to a man put in the work to earn a result which, when reflected on, is one of the best that Ireland have achieved in their history.

The central defence of Richard Dunne and Gary Breen continued the form they showed against Holland with another towering display. They made the Portuguese play the ball in front of them, cutting off all avenues to get in behind.

Captain Roy Keane was not as good as he can be but he still put in a huge amount of work. He tracked back time and time again to help out his defence and only for he got in Rui Costa's way early in the game the Irish would surely have been 1-0 down.

Mark Kinsella had his best game so far for Ireland. His biting tackles where outrageously well timed and when he got the chance he was not afraid to put his foot on the ball and pass with confidence.

Mick McCarthy and Ireland can be very proud of the way the team played against a very talented side and now they must push home the advantage that they have built in the group by beating Estonia on Wednesday night.

Barring any late injuries Mick McCarthy should start with the same team against the Estonians. The Irish manager has found his best eleven and will stick to that unless he is forced to change because of knocks.

Irish goalscoring hero Matt Holland will start on the bench again but the Ipswich player won't mind that, as long as he is involved with the journey that could lead to the World Cup.

If Ireland can beat Estonia, and Holland and Portugal draw in Amsterdam, then Mick McCarthy and his team can have a good Christmas before the campaign starts again.