Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a red card in the 61st minute in Portugal’s shocking loss to the Republic of Ireland in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Ronaldo was shown a straight red card for elbowing a player in Portugal’s 2-0 loss to Ireland with both goals coming from Troy Parrot.
The loss halts Portugal’s march to qualify to next year’s World Cup as the Iberian nation leads Group F with 10 points but just two ahead of second ranked Hungary and three points ahead of third ranked Ireland.
Speaking after the win to RTE, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said Ronaldo’s red card was down to frustration saying,
“He [Cristiano Ronaldo] lost his focus a little bit and maybe it was the fans as well. He was frustrated and reacted in a way he knows he shouldn’t”
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, 7, look on as the referee checks VAR before howing him a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
“He told me it was a clever thing to do and blamed the referee or whomever for this, but it was just his silly decision to attack our player.”
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifying (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)
Portugal take on bottom ranked Armenia next on Sunday, November 16 at 14:00 GMT.
Dara O’Shea of Republic of Ireland goes down after a tussle with Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, 7, resulting in a red card for Cristiano Ronaldo, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
