Overview
- Ronaldo received a direct red for an elbow on Ireland’s Dara O’Shea, upgraded from an initial yellow after referee Glenn Nyberg reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.
- The dismissal triggers an automatic one-match suspension that rules him out of Portugal’s next qualifier against Armenia, a game that can secure direct World Cup qualification.
- Under FIFA’s disciplinary code, violent conduct can carry at least a three-match ban, which if imposed could carry over into the 2026 World Cup rather than being served in friendlies.
- FIFA typically publishes disciplinary verdicts up to three weeks after an international window and declined to give a specific timeline for this case.
- The 2-0 defeat in Dublin featured Ronaldo’s first red in 226 Portugal appearances, drew boos and “Messi” chants from Irish fans, and prompted coach Roberto Martínez to argue the action looked worse on camera than it was.