The Manchester City trio all started at the Estadio Algarve where Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the dying minutes to break the world record for goals scored in men’s international football.
Dias and Bernardo, who was a lively attacking presence for the hosts, both completed 90 minutes, whilst Cancelo, who also enjoyed several impressive moments, was withdrawn eight minutes from time.
Nineteen-year-old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who is on loan from City at Portsmouth, starred for the Irish, saving Ronaldo’s 15th minute penalty, before John Egan headed the visitors in front on the stroke of half-time.
However, the Portugal captain denied Stephen Kenny’s men a statement victory, heading home an 89th minute equaliser and netting a second with his head in the sixth minute of added time.
The result leaves Cancelo, Dias and Bernardo top of Group A with 10 points from four games, but that was the only victory City’s international representatives had to celebrate on Wednesday evening.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s Ukraine had to settle for a point after a dramatic ending to their World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
The Manchester City man played the full 90-minutes in central midfield for Oleksandr Petrakov’s side, who thought they had claimed their first win in Group D when Danylo Sikan struck in the third minute of added time, only for Ruslan Valiullin to equalise three minutes later.
Zinchenko created a number of opportunities as Ukraine dominated proceedings at the Astana Arena.
They took the lead in sensational fashion when Roman Yaremchuk volleyed into the top left corner from 20-yards, but were pegged back 16 minute from time when Valiullin fired into the top corner himself after getting in down the left.
Silkan’s close range finish looked to have won it deep into added time, but Zinchenko’s side were forced to accept a fourth consecutive qualifying draw when Valiullin scored a carbon copy of his opening goal with what was virtually the last kick of the game.
In the only other game involving City’s senior players, Nathan Ake was an unused substitute as the Netherlands drew 1-1 with Norway.
