Portugal’s trip to Dublin, already shaped by a charged pre-match atmosphere, turned chaotic when Cristiano Ronaldo was dismissed during a crucial World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. The veteran forward, who had promised to stay calm before kickoff, found himself cast as a villain after a clash with defender Dara O’Shea.
With Portugal trailing after Troy Parrott’s two first-half strikes, Ronaldo became entangled with O’Shea inside the Irish box. As the pair positioned themselves for an incoming delivery, the Portuguese star pushed his arm into the Ireland defender’s back, sending him to the ground and provoking an immediate uproar from both the crowd and the home side.
Referee Glenn Nyberg initially produced a caution, but a VAR intervention led him to review the footage. After consulting the monitor, the Swedish official dismissed Ronaldo, prompting the forward to respond with mocking applause toward the stands and pointed comments aimed at Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson before leaving the pitch.
The incident capped off a tense evening for Ronaldo, whose performance had already been marked by frustration and fierce exchanges with Irish players.
War of words on the touchline
The sending-off added fuel to a budding friction between Ronaldo and Hallgrímsson. Their tension stemmed from pre-match comments in which the Ireland coach urged officials not to be influenced by Ronaldo’s stature, referencing their previous meeting in October when the Portuguese star saw a penalty stopped.
Ronaldo accused Hallgrímsson of psychological tactics before the game, though the Icelandic manager insisted after the match that the dismissal stemmed solely from the striker’s actions. He suggested that his pre-game remarks might have unsettled Ronaldo but emphasized that the player’s conduct alone led to the decision.
Hallgrímsson revealed their brief exchange during Ronaldo’s walk to the tunnel, saying the moment required no further discussion after full time. He described the forward’s conduct as a lapse rather than a calculated act, noting that their disagreement ended with a handshake.
The Ireland coach dismissed the notion that he had influenced the official, instead placing responsibility entirely on the Portuguese captain.
Martinez defends his captain
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez strongly disagreed with the decision, backing Ronaldo and criticizing Hallgrímsson’s earlier comments. Martínez pointed to the 40-year-old’s previously flawless disciplinary record, highlighting that he had never been dismissed in 226 international outings before this match.
He argued that Ronaldo had endured persistent physical attention in the penalty area, asserting that the tussle looked more severe on camera than it truly was. According to Martínez, the movement was more of a physical disengagement than a deliberate elbow.
The Portuguese coach also expressed frustration that Hallgrímsson’s remarks about refereeing potentially shaped perceptions heading into the contest. He questioned the theatrical nature of O’Shea’s fall and suggested that Portugal’s captain was treated unfairly.
Despite his objections, Martínez acknowledged that the team must accept the ruling and prepare for Ronaldo’s forthcoming suspension.
Consequences for Portugal
Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s final qualifier against Armenia, but the severity of his long-term punishment remains uncertain. Under FIFA’s disciplinary rules, violent actions such as elbowing or hitting can result in bans of three matches or more.
If he receives the minimum sanction and Portugal secures direct qualification, he risks being absent for the opening two fixtures at next summer’s tournament in North America.
Should Portugal instead fall into the playoff route, the suspension would apply during those decisive encounters.
A FIFA committee will determine the full penalty, leaving open the possibility that what might be Ronaldo’s final World Cup could begin under a cloud.