{"id":33353,"date":"2025-11-13T22:03:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T22:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=33353"},"modified":"2025-11-13T22:03:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T22:03:48","slug":"ronaldo-sent-off-in-republic-of-irelands-win-over-portugal-world-cup-2026-qualifying-as-it-happened-world-cup-2026-qualifiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=33353","title":{"rendered":"Ronaldo sent off in Republic of Ireland\u2019s win over Portugal: World Cup 2026 qualifying \u2013 as it happened | World Cup 2026 qualifiers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Here\u2019s an on-the-whistle<\/strong> report from PA Media:<\/p>\n

Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off as Troy Parrott fired the Republic of Ireland to a sensational 2-0 victory over Portugal to set up a World Cup qualifier showdown with Hungary.<\/p>\n

The 40-year-old Portugal skipper was dismissed for elbowing defender Dara O\u2019Shea off the ball with a little more than half-an-hour remaining at the Aviva Stadium, but Heimir Hallgrimsson\u2019s men were already on their way to a win over the side ranked fifth in the world to write a new chapter in Irish football folklore.<\/p>\n

Ronaldo had launched a charm offensive on his arrival in Dublin, promising to try to be a \u201cgood boy\u201d, but his smiles turned to scowls and eventually petulance, leaving Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg, who had been urged in advance by Hallgrimsson not to allow the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar to do his job for him, with little alternative.<\/p>\n

AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott\u2019s first-half double ultimately did the damage, but it was a collective performance of true character which laid the foundation for a victory which means a repeat in Budapest on Sunday would clinch runners-up spot in Group F and a chance to make it to next summer\u2019s finals.<\/p>\n

Ireland kicked off in no doubt as to what was required of them following Hungary\u2019s win in Yerevan and as they had in Lisbon last month, they found themselves pressed back deep inside their own half.<\/p>\n

However, Ronaldo was unable to make anything of a series of early chances and although the home side\u2019s forays into enemy territory were few, they grew in frequency and it was after Parrott had forced goalkeeper Diogo Costa into an error that they took 17th-minute lead.<\/p>\n

Liam Scales found space beyond the far post to head Josh Cullen\u2019s set-piece back across goal, where Parrott was perfectly placed to turn the ball home from point-blank range.
Joao Neves sent an angled drive across goal and Joao Felix headed a Ruben Dias cross over with eight minutes of the first half remaining, but Ireland almost extended their lead seconds later when Chiedozie Ogbene ran on to O\u2019Shea\u2019s clearance and saw his shot come back off the far post.<\/p>\n

Caoimhin Kelleher saved from Felix and Diogo Dalot twice fired over as Portugal stepped up a gear, but the home side extended their lead on the stroke of half-time when Parrott ran on to O\u2019Shea\u2019s ball over the top before cutting inside and beating Costa at his near post.<\/p>\n

The visitors might have been back in it within two minutes of the restart when half-time substitute Renato Veiga flicked on Bernardo Silva\u2019s corner to Vitinha, only for the unmarked midfielder to fluff his lines.<\/p>\n

Portugal continued to dominate possession, but their hopes suffered a fatal blow when, after being advised to review his 59th-minute decision only to book Ronaldo for swinging an arm at O\u2019Shea, Nyberg produced a red card after going to the monitor.<\/p>\n

There was a brief exchange between the striker and Hallgrimsson on the sideline which ended in a handshake, but both men knew the game was effectively done at that point and Ireland were able to ease their way across the finishing line despite the continuing onslaught.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Joy for Seamus Coleman.<\/span> Photograph: Ben McShane\/Sportsfile\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a017.00 EST<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is Parrott\u2019s favourite player<\/strong> on the Portugal national team?\u201d inquires Peter Oh.<\/p>\n

\u201cCRrrrr7!\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/span>A pirate.<\/span> Photograph: Oleksiy Maksymenko\/Getty Images\/All Canada PhotosShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a016.56 EST<\/p>\n

There was much to admire<\/strong> in Ireland\u2019s performance. Sure, it revolved mainly around Caoimhin <\/strong>Kelleher knocking it full gun down the field and Ireland\u2019s forwards running hard at the Portuguese defence and not allowed them any time to settle. It wasn\u2019t too pretty \u2026 but it worked! Troy Parrott was the hero, and Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s petulant red card was a testament to how well Ireland defended.<\/p>\n

Should Roberto Mart\u00ednez leave him out of the World Cup squad altogether?<\/p>\n

Any way never mind all that. Ireland are going to win the World Cup! potentially going to have a chance to qualify via the playoffs.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be surprised<\/strong> if Ciro Immobile\u2019s name is sung to the tune of La donna \u00e8 mobile <\/em>from Verdi\u2019s Rigoletto,\u201d writes Andy Flintoff (not that one).<\/p>\n

\u201cIf not, then the Italian fans have seriously missed out on sneaking higher culture onto gli curve<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/span>A scene from Rigoletto.<\/span> Photograph: Tristram Kenton\/The GuardianShare<\/p>\n

All today’s scores<\/h2>\n

Armenia 0-1 Hungary
Azerbaijan 0-2 Iceland
Norway 4-1 Estonia
Andorra 0-1 Albania
England 2-0 Serbia
France 4-0 Ukraine
Moldova 0-2 Italy
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Portugal<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.48 EST<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2018t know if there is a player<\/strong> (currently playing on such a scale) who has managed to make himself as unlikable as Cristiano Ronaldo,\u201d emails Rebekah. \u201cI used to like Ronaldo because of his story; he came from relatively poor circumstances and worked hard to get to where he is. But that man has such a terrible ego and attitude. If you\u2019ve ever watched The Boys, he reminds me of Homelander. He\u2019s an egotistical narcissist who can\u2019t accept that the world doesn\u2019t revolve around him and that time\u2019s arrow marches on, regardless of however many pitiful attempts he makes to keep himself in the spotlight \u2026 What a waste.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/span>Cristiano Ronaldo departs.<\/span> Photograph: Piaras \u00d3 M\u00eddheach\/Sportsfile\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Full-time! Republic of Ireland 2-0 Portugal<\/h2>\n

That\u2019s a helluva win for the hosts, and they will go to Budapest on Sunday with everything up for grabs. Well, certainly second place in the group.<\/p>\n

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Full time: France 4-0 Ukraine<\/h2>\n

France WILL go to the ball! They are through to World Cup.<\/p>\n

(Just leaving out the definite article to make it sound more American.)<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.42 EST<\/p>\n

90 min + 5:<\/strong> Right, I\u2019m calling it. Ireland are going to win!<\/p>\n

The Portugal fans are looking suitably ashen-faced.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIs there really<\/strong> an Alessandro Good Morning playing for Italy as The Guardians team sheet suggests?\u201d emails Leon from Australia.<\/p>\n

Yes indeed. They did have a striker called Immobile, you know.<\/p>\n

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Whoops<\/strong>, sorry, I missed that Italy are 2-0 up in Moldova!<\/p>\n

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90 min + 3:<\/strong> Neves belts a shot a Kelleher. Straight at him.<\/p>\n

I bet the mood in the Portugal dressing room will be a barrel of laughs tonight.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.38 EST<\/p>\n

90 min:<\/strong> Niall Mullen emailed five Troy Parrott puns.<\/p>\n

This was the one I liked:<\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019est Troy bien\u201d<\/p>\n

Thanks Niall!<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.38 EST<\/p>\n

90 min:<\/strong> Mikey Johnston has a chance to rub Portugal\u2019s noses in it, but his shot is blocked. Kelleher makes an important stop at the other end. We\u2019ll have a minimum of seven minutes of stoppage time. There is a vague sense of Ireland clinging on here, even if they are 2-0 up and a man to the good.<\/p>\n

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Goal! France 4-0 Ukraine (Ekitike)<\/h2>\n

Ekitike. Who else?<\/p>\n

<\/span>Hugo Ekitike. Yes!<\/span> Photograph: Franck Fife\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a016.34 EST<\/p>\n

87 min: <\/strong>Changes for Ireland – Jimmy Dunne and Mikey Johnston come on for Chiedozie Ogbene and Liam Scales. Festy Ebosele also came on for Azaz a few minutes ago.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.32 EST<\/p>\n

Goal! France 3-0 Ukraine (Mbapp\u00e9)<\/h2>\n

Mbapp\u00e9. Who else, eh? Eh!?<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.33 EST<\/p>\n

83 min:<\/strong> Fun fact: I saw Ronaldo get sent off for Real Madrid at the Bernab\u00e9u in 2009. He scored twice beforehand in a 4-2 win against Almer\u00eda.<\/p>\n

Tonight is the 13th time he\u2019s been sent off in his career.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.30 EST<\/p>\n

Goal! 76 min: France 2-0 Ukraine (Olise)<\/h2>\n

The former Crystal Palace legend Michael Olise doubles the hosts\u2019 advantage in Paris, and they are well on course to seal their place in the good old U S of A next summer.<\/p>\n

<\/span>The French offense.<\/span> Photograph: Franco Arland\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

79 min:<\/strong> I know what all you Republic of Ireland fans are thinking. They\u2019ll somehow find a way to throw this win away. Keep the faith.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is too obvious, Luke<\/strong>,\u201d emails Damian of the Parrott-mania we are experiencing, including this YouTube link:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

<\/span>Troy by Sinead O\u2019Connor.<\/span>Share<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in a Lisbon restaurant<\/strong> so this is all highly amusing,\u201d emails Tim. \u201cMost, you might be surprised, are happy to see the back of Ronaldo.\u201d<\/p>\n

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74 min:<\/strong> Idah of Swansea City, freshly off the bench, looks to make a run beyond Ruben D\u00edas but the Manchester City man tidies it up.<\/p>\n

Republic of Ireland\u2019s opponents have now had a man sent off in three consecutive qualifiers in Dublin.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.20 EST<\/p>\n

\u201cAssuming Portugal beat Armenia<\/strong> on Sunday and qualify, Ronaldo will surely miss their first two group games next summer,\u201d emails Tim.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s got to be a three-match ban for violent conduct?\u201d<\/p>\n

Agreed.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Who\u2019s crying now?<\/span> Photograph: David Fitzgerald\/Sportsfile\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a016.17 EST<\/p>\n

Goal! Andorra 0-1 Albania<\/h2>\n

Kristjan Asllani gets on the scoresheet on 67 min.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.18 EST<\/p>\n

67 min:<\/strong> Adam Idah will come on for Republic of Ireland. In Paris, it\u2019s still 1-0 to France.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe France-Ukraine match is on TV here in the U.S. and for the possible Ukraine penalty the referee was called to the monitor and stuck with his original call of no foul.,\u201d emails Matt. \u201cNot two minutes later there was minor contact in the France box and a penalty was immediately awarded. For my money the Ukraine shout was a penalty and the France one was more marginal (though square in the \u201cyou\u2019ve seen them given\u201d category), so I suppose I\u2019m 0 for 2.\u201d<\/p>\n

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62 min:<\/strong> At the other end Ogbene hits a decent low shot and Ireland have a corner.<\/p>\n

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The Ireland fans are loving this.<\/strong> Ronaldo is not loving this. I am loving this. He was bang to rights on replay, it was a petulant elbow on O\u2019Shea who was closely man-marking him. Ronaldo ironically applauds the fans before walking off down the tunnel. He will miss Portugal\u2019s last qualifier and perhaps even the start of the World Cup \u2026<\/p>\n

<\/span>Ronaldo. Off.<\/span> Photograph: Charles McQuillan\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a016.10 EST<\/p>\n

Red card for Portugal! Cristiano Ronaldo<\/h2>\n

Good night!<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.11 EST<\/p>\n

60 min:<\/strong> The referee is going to the monitor! It\u2019s an elbow by Ronaldo. He\u2019s going off.<\/p>\n

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59 min:<\/strong> Ronaldo is entering full man-child mode now. Dara O\u2019Shea goes down in the heap after a challenge by Ronaldo off the ball in the Republic of Ireland penalty box. Ronaldo is booked. But the VAR is having a look, too \u2026<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.05 EST<\/p>\n

57 min:<\/strong> Portugal have got a bit of control in the last few minutes and have begun to push Ireland back. To remind them of the danger that still lurks, Parrott makes a dash downfield.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Here\u2019s an on-the-whistle report from PA Media: Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off as Troy Parrott fired the Republic of Ireland to a sensational 2-0 victory over Portugal to set up a World Cup qualifier showdown with Hungary. The 40-year-old Portugal skipper<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33354,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[130,419,17898,2043,11546,8920,16401,7369,1259,550],"class_list":{"0":"post-33353","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-cup","9":"tag-happened","10":"tag-irelands","11":"tag-portugal","12":"tag-qualifiers","13":"tag-qualifying","14":"tag-republic","15":"tag-ronaldo","16":"tag-win","17":"tag-world"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=33353"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33353\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/33354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}