Overview
- Ireland beat Portugal 2-0 in Dublin with Troy Parrott scoring twice in the first half.
- Cristiano Ronaldo was initially booked for elbowing Dara O’Shea before a VAR review upgraded it to a straight red shown by referee Glenn Nyberg.
- Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said Ronaldo told him he had ‘put pressure on the referee,’ a touchline exchange that followed Hallgrimsson’s pre-match warnings about officiating.
- Portugal coach Roberto Martínez defended Ronaldo, calling the decision harsh and noting it was his first international dismissal in 226 appearances.
- Ronaldo is suspended for Portugal’s next qualifier against Armenia and faces a FIFA disciplinary review, while Ireland must win in Budapest and Portugal can still qualify automatically with a victory.