Cristiano Ronaldo is now in danger of missing the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after receiving the first red card of his international career during Portugal’s 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland. The incident occurred in the 61st minute when Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for violent conduct following an elbow on defender Dara O’Shea. A yellow card was initially issued before VAR recommended a review that upgraded the decision to red.
This marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s first international dismissal in his record-setting 226th appearance for Portugal. Prior to this, Cristiano Ronaldo had been sent off 13 times only at club level.
Cristiano Ronaldo and the Potential World Cup Suspension
Cristiano Ronaldo will automatically miss Portugal’s next World Cup qualifier against Armenia due to the mandatory one-match suspension for a red card. However, FIFA’s disciplinary code raises concerns that Cristiano Ronaldo may face an extended ban.
According to FIFA rules:
- Serious foul play results in at least a two-match ban.
- Violent conduct — including actions like Cristiano Ronaldo’s elbow — results in at least a three-match ban.
Any additional suspension imposed on Cristiano Ronaldo must be served in competitive matches, meaning it cannot be absorbed through pre-World Cup friendlies. This increases the risk of Cristiano Ronaldo missing matches at the tournament itself.
Martínez Defends His Captain
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez stated after the match that the decision was “harsh” and urged understanding given Ronaldo’s long, incident-free international career.
“He has never been sent off in 226 games — that deserves enormous credit,” Martínez said.
“He spent nearly an hour being grabbed and pulled. From the camera angle it may look like an elbow, but I don’t think it was. The action looks worse than it truly was.”
Martínez also expressed frustration over perceived theatrics by O’Shea and hinted at external pressure on the officiating team, referencing comments made by Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson before the match.
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Ireland’s Stunning Victory
Portugal entered the game needing a win to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup, but a brace from Troy Parrott sealed a surprise Irish victory.
Despite the loss, Portugal remain two points ahead of Hungary in Group F, meaning victory against Armenia would guarantee Ronaldo a spot in what would be his sixth World Cup.
Pre-Match Tension Carried Into the Game
In the days leading up to the fixture, Ronaldo had promised to behave amid expected hostility from the Dublin crowd. The tension stemmed partly from the reverse fixture, when Ronaldo celebrated a stoppage-time winner directly in front of Ireland’s defenders — a moment that angered fans and players alike.
Before Thursday’s match, Hallgrimsson publicly urged referee Glenn Nyberg not to let Ronaldo “referee the game.” Following Ronaldo’s dismissal, the superstar appeared to clap sarcastically toward the crowd and exchanged pointed words with Hallgrimsson as he left the pitch.
Hallgrimsson revealed after the match:
“He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee,” the coach said.
“But his action alone caused the red card — I had nothing to do with it.”
He added that the incident was a moment of “silliness” from the Portuguese captain.
