Cristiano Ronaldo endured a night to forget as Portugal suffered a stunning 2–0 defeat to Ireland on Thursday, missing yet another opportunity to seal qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The match, played at a roaring Aviva Stadium in Dublin, saw Ronaldo controversially sent off for elbowing Irish defender Dara O’Shea, leaving his teammates to chase the game with ten men. For Ireland, however, it was a historic and emotional victory that keeps their qualification hopes alive heading into the final group match.
Ireland’s hero of the night was Troy Parrott, who delivered two first-half goals that ultimately sealed the upset. The result comes as a major boost for the Irish side, who entered the clash knowing that only a positive result would keep their World Cup dreams alive after Hungary edged Armenia 1–0 earlier in the day.
Ronaldo’s Red Card Shifts Momentum Against Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain and the all-time top goal scorer in men’s international football, could not hide his frustration as his team struggled to break down a disciplined and motivated Irish side. With Portugal chasing a comeback after falling behind early, Ronaldo was shown a straight red card just after the hour mark following a VAR review of his elbow to the back of O’Shea. The 40-year-old forward reacted angrily, clapping sarcastically toward the home crowd and exchanging words with Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson before finally shaking hands.
This sending-off marks Ronaldo’s 13th career red card but his first ever for Portugal. The timing of the dismissal is particularly alarming for Portuguese fans, as he may now face a suspension that could impact the beginning of Portugal’s World Cup campaign—if they manage to qualify.
Portugal still sit at the top of Group F with 10 points, two ahead of Hungary and three ahead of Ireland, with one match remaining. The group winner qualifies automatically for the World Cup, while the second-place team advances to the play-offs. Despite holding the advantage, the pressure is mounting on Roberto Martínez’s side, who squandered an earlier chance to secure qualification when they drew with Hungary in October.
For Ireland, the night belonged to Troy Parrott, who called the victory “the best night of my life” in an emotional post-match interview. The AZ Alkmaar striker scored twice in the first half, igniting the crowd and giving Ireland a result that will long be remembered in Dublin.
Ireland began the match cautiously, sitting deep and allowing Portugal to control possession. However, the visitors struggled to penetrate Ireland’s defensive shape, and Parrott capitalised on one of Ireland’s early opportunities. After Liam Scales headed a corner back across goal, Parrott nodded the ball home from close range in the 17th minute to shock the Portuguese defence.
Portugal responded with urgency, launching waves of attacks through Joao Félix and Joao Neves, both of whom missed chances to level the score. But Ireland remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Chiedozie Ogbene smashing a shot against the post that nearly doubled Ireland’s advantage earlier than expected.
Just before half-time, Parrott struck again. Cutting in from the left, he drove forward with purpose and drilled a low shot past keeper Diogo Costa at the near post, sending the Aviva Stadium into celebration and handing Ireland a commanding 2–0 lead.
After the break, Portugal pushed forward desperately, but Ireland’s back line held strong. Their defensive organisation—one of the hallmarks of Hallgrimsson’s coaching—forced Portugal into rushed shots and wayward crosses. The match’s turning point came with Ronaldo’s red card, which removed Portugal’s most experienced threat and effectively ended their hopes of mounting a successful comeback.
The dismissal followed another disappointing performance for Ronaldo against Ireland. In the teams’ previous meeting in Portugal in October, he famously missed a penalty, a moment that contributed to Portugal’s ongoing struggle to secure qualification comfortably.
Portugal players expressed disappointment after the match, with Bernardo Silva acknowledging that Ireland had once again caused major problems. “We’re sad and disappointed with what we did here today,” Silva said. “Credit to the opponent—they’re very well organised and difficult to play against.”
For Ireland, the win keeps their World Cup dream alive; for Portugal, it raises new questions about discipline, execution, and reliance on veteran leaders such as Ronaldo. With one group match left to play, the pressure is firmly on Martínez’s squad to secure the victory they need.
Whether Ronaldo will be available for the remainder of the qualification process—or for the World Cup itself—now depends on the severity of the ban issued after his red card. Either way, Thursday’s match will be remembered as a rare and dramatic moment in the storied career of Cristiano Ronaldo, and as a thrilling chapter in Ireland’s pursuit of a World Cup return for the first time since 2002.
Source- EWN