Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card for the first time in his record-breaking international career, as Portugal lost 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland, and the striker is now at high risk of being suspended in the first match of the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo was ordered off for violent conduct in the 61st minute after Irish defender Dara O’Shea elbowed off the ball. After initially being shown a yellow card, the referee was urged to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR and raise the decision to a red card.
This was Ronaldo’s first red card for Portugal in his 226th appearance, a record in men’s international football. He was sent off 13 times at club level.
The Al-Nassr striker will be subject to a mandatory one-match ban for any red card when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday, with the knowledge that a win would guarantee a place in the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA’s disciplinary rules require its judges to impose a suspension for “at least two matches for serious offences.”
The ban must be “at least three matches for violent behaviour” or “at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing”.
The FIFA ban will apply to competitive gaming and cannot be presented at pre-tournament exhibitions.
Portugal went into the match knowing that victory would secure their place in the 2026 World Cup, but Ireland stunned the visitors with two goals from Troy Parrott.
Portugal still leads Hungary by two points in Group F, which means that a victory over Armenia will be enough for Ronaldo to reach the World Cup for the sixth time.
In the build-up to the match, the Portugal captain promised to be a “good boy” in anticipation of facing a wave of boos at the Aviva Stadium.
In the reverse fixture between the two teams, Ronaldo celebrated Ruben Neves’ last-minute goal against Irish defender Jake O’Brien.
Irish fans accused the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star of unjustifiably influencing the match referee on that occasion.
“I really like the fans here,” he said before the game. “The support they give to the national team is amazing. For me, it is a pleasure to come and play here again.
“Of course, it’s going to be difficult. I hope they won’t boo me so much tomorrow. I swear I’ll try to be a good boy.”
After being sent off by the referee on Thursday, Ronaldo twisted his lips into a sarcastic look as he left the field amidst boos and jeers from Irish fans.
He stopped and looked at the fans, clapped his hands towards them and raised two thumbs up in an obvious sarcastic gesture.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN Research was used in this report.
