Overview
- Ireland beat Portugal 2-0 in Dublin as Troy Parrott scored twice, keeping the hosts’ qualification hopes alive.
- Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off after a VAR pitchside review upgraded a yellow to a straight red for striking Dara O’Shea, his first dismissal in 226 caps.
- Portugal’s federation is preparing to contest the expected multi‑match ban, with reports citing a push to reduce a standard three‑game suspension; the final disciplinary ruling remains pending.
- Ronaldo will miss Sunday’s qualifier against Armenia through suspension, and reports in Portugal say he has been released from the squad to return to Saudi Arabia.
- Reactions diverged as Roberto Martinez called the decision harsh, Ireland’s Heimir Hallgrimsson said Ronaldo told him he’d ‘put pressure on the referee,’ and Portuguese media sharply criticized the captain.