Ronaldo Sent Off as Ireland Stun Portugal in Dublin
What a dramatic night it was at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin! The Republic of Ireland pulled off a stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal in a World Cup qualifying clash, but all eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo, who saw red in a moment that has sparked debates across the football world.
From the start, it was clear that Ireland were not going to lie down. Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a perfectly timed header following a set-piece from Josh Cullen, giving the home side an early advantage. Portugal pushed forward, with João Félix testing CaoimhÃn Kelleher in goal and Diogo Dalot firing over a couple of chances, but Ireland’s defense held firm. Right on the stroke of half-time, Parrott doubled the lead, running onto a ball from Dara O’Shea before cutting inside and finishing past Diogo Costa.
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The game took a fiery turn just after the hour mark. Ronaldo, waiting for a cross in the Irish box, collided with O’Shea, and in the tussle, the Portugal captain’s arm made contact with the defender’s back. Initially, referee Glenn Nyberg produced a yellow card, but after consulting the pitch-side monitor following the video assistant referee’s advice, the decision was upgraded to a straight red. Ronaldo, clearly frustrated, responded with sarcastic applause to the Irish fans and had a brief exchange with Ireland boss Heimir HallgrÃmsson before leaving the pitch.
HallgrÃmsson later joked that perhaps he got into Ronaldo’s head, though he insisted the red card was purely a result of Ronaldo’s action on the pitch. “He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee,” he said. Portugal manager Roberto MartÃnez defended his captain, suggesting the red was harsh and that the contact looked worse on camera than it actually was. MartÃnez also emphasized Ronaldo’s commitment, noting that he had been grappling with defenders for nearly an hour.
The consequences for Ronaldo are significant. He will miss Portugal’s final qualifier against Armenia and could face a three-match ban for violent conduct, which might affect the start of Portugal’s World Cup campaign next summer. Whether he serves the suspension during qualifying or at the tournament will depend on how Portugal finish in Group F.
While Portugal dominated possession, it was Ireland’s collective performance, backed by Parrott’s decisive goals, that ultimately secured a famous win. The result sets up a crucial showdown in Budapest on Sunday, which could determine whether Ireland clinch a runners-up spot and a chance to reach the 2026 World Cup.
For Ronaldo, it was an unforgettable and frustrating night in Dublin—a night that will be talked about as much for his red card as for Ireland’s inspired display. The drama, the tension, and the controversy perfectly captured the highs and lows of international football.
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