Sporting Digest: Rugby Union:

RUGBY UNION

Wednesday 02 December 1998 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

RUGBY UNION

Spain won through to next year's World Cup thanks to a four-point win over Portugal at Murrayfield last night. Portugal scored the only tries of the match - Thiery Teixeira crossing in the first half and then Rohan Hofman closing the game in the same fashion as he did last Saturday on the same ground against Scotland - but Andrei Kovalenko's six penalties helped put Spain through. The Spanish flanker, Jose Diaz, was yellow-carded for preventing Portugal quickly taking a penalty and was then sent off for persisting in telling the English referee Steve Lander what he thought of the decision. Portugal now go on to a play-off with Uruguay.

WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFYING ZONE Pool 3: Spain 21, Portugal 17. Spain: Penalties Kovalenko 6; Drop goal Diez. Portugal: Tries R Hoffman, Teixeira; Conversions Mourao, Teixeira; Penalties Teixeira. (at Murrayfield).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in