Overview
- Portugal qualified directly with a 9-1 win in Porto, powered by hat-tricks from Bruno Fernandes and João Neves.
- Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the stands while serving the automatic one-match ban from his dismissal against Ireland.
- The red card followed a VAR review that upgraded an initial yellow for an elbow on Dara O’Shea, his first expulsion with Portugal.
- FIFA/UEFA have not yet ruled on any additional suspension, with reports indicating a possible range of one to three official matches that would carry into World Cup fixtures.
- Portugal’s camp says it has appealed the case, and coach Roberto Martínez termed a longer punishment unjust and vowed to present supporting evidence.