Portugal expected a straightforward evening in Dublin, but things unraveled quickly—none more so than for Cristiano Ronaldo, whose frustrations eventually boiled over.
His red card during the World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland has now become the talking point of the week, and even Bruno Fernandes admits his captain knows the moment got the better of him.
When Tempers Flared
Ronaldo’s problems began long before the referee reached for red.
Portugal’s opening half was slow, disjointed, and increasingly irritating for the 39-year-old forward, who found himself arguing, gesturing, and muttering his way through the match.
At one point, he even hinted that Irish defender Nathan Collins had exaggerated contact moments before things escalated.
Then came the incident that changed the night.
A cross sailed over Ronaldo’s head, and in the same instant he spun with an elbow that caught Ipswich defender Dara O’Shea.
O’Shea went down clutching his back. Initially, it looked like a booking—until VAR stepped in.
After a long check, yellow turned to red, and Ronaldo’s 226th match for Portugal produced the first dismissal of his international career.
Sarcasm, Shock, and the Long Walk Off
The reaction was classic Ronaldo: disbelief, a smirk, and sarcastic applause aimed at the roaring Irish crowd inside the Aviva Stadium.
Moments later, he disappeared down the tunnel, leaving Portugal to battle on without him in what would become a 2–0 defeat.
Manager Roberto Martinez rushed to Ronaldo’s defense afterward, saying the footage looked harsher than the actual contact. But his stance wasn’t shared by everyone.
Bruno Fernandes Speaks Honestly
Ahead of Portugal’s crucial match against Armenia, Fernandes—who missed the Ireland game due to suspension—didn’t sugarcoat the situation.
He acknowledged that Ronaldo’s reaction was out of character and costly.
He explained that the forward “knows he made a mistake,” adding that the sending off made an already difficult match even harder once Portugal were reduced to ten men and without one of the few players capable of changing a game instantly.
What Ronaldo’s Ban Means Now
Portugal still sits in a strong position at the top of their qualification group, two points clear and one win away from securing a spot at the World Cup.
But they’ll have to do it without Ronaldo, who has reportedly already left the national team camp.
With straight-red suspensions in international football usually extending to two matches, the punishment may stretch into the World Cup itself if Portugal qualify on Sunday.
Unlike accumulated yellow cards, straight reds do carry into the tournament—an unwelcome twist in what could be Ronaldo’s final World Cup run.
The Irony of His Promise
Adding an extra sting to the story is something Ronaldo said just hours before kick-off.
Reflecting on his history in Ireland, he jokingly assured reporters he would behave.
He told journalists he hoped the fans wouldn’t boo him too much and promised—smiling—that he would “try to be a good boy.”
Ireland’s View: Pride and a Hint of Amusement
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson praised his players for their work rate, organisation, and commitment in earning a win few predicted.
When asked about Ronaldo’s red card, Hallgrimsson didn’t gloat, but he didn’t hide either.
He suggested the forward simply lost his head for a moment—perhaps pushed by the energy of the crowd—and reacted in a way he regretted.
According to Hallgrimsson, Ronaldo even admitted afterward that some of the pre-match comments about officiating “were clever,” though the manager put the incident down to Ronaldo’s own poor decision.
What Comes Next?
Portugal’s focus now shifts to Armenia, where a win seals their World Cup place.
The question hanging over everything: how will they cope without Ronaldo—and what happens if his ban follows them into the tournament?