The two teams have 17 points, but with a goal difference of +12 against +8 for the Serbs, Cristiano Ronaldo's teammates will be able to settle for a draw to qualify directly for Qatar.
If defeated, all would not be lost, but they would have to go through the dams.
Faced with Eire, who could no longer hope for anything and who will travel to Luxembourg on Sunday to try to regain 3rd place in the group in case of victory, this draw is still very disappointing.
It is further aggravated by the red card received in the 82nd minute by Pepe for a second yellow card after a nudge, more clumsy than nasty, in the face of an opponent.
Portuguese defender Pepe leaves the field after receiving a second yellow card, synonymous with exclusion, during the match against Ireland, counting for the qualifiers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, on November 11 in Dublin Paul Faith AFP
The rough 38-year-old center-back will therefore miss the decisive game in three days.
Well organized, the Irish did better than defend themselves against the Portuguese who sorely lacked edge in front of goal, as shown by their 2 shots on target only, as much as their hosts.
The best chances went to the inevitable Cristiano Ronaldo.
He first saw a uncrossed header, as he has put dozens of in his career, touching the right post of Gavin Bazunu (67th), before a shot enveloped in the corner of the surface, this time, grazes his left post (79th).
Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, fighting with the Irish defense, during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Qatar, November 11 in Dublin Paul Faith AFP
In added time, however, Ronaldo wanted to force the decision a little too much on his own by hitting from a very tight angle on Bazunu while Joao Felix waited for the ball in the axis of the penalty area.
The main thing is however assured with this point since, even with a victory, a draw would have been imperative on Sunday.
© 2021 AFP