Cristiano Ronaldo: Red card riles Portugal captain after elbowing Ireland’s O’Shea in 2026 World Cup qualifying
Cristiano Ronaldo saw red in Ireland vs Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo reacted petulantly after the Portugal captain received a red card for elbowing Republic of Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during his side’s World Cup 2026 qualification match in Dublin on Thursday.
Referee Glenn Nyberg consulted the pitchside monitor following a Video Assistant Referee review before dismissing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who appeared to make a crying gesture at O’Shea while the check took place before exchanging words with home boss Heimir Hallgrimsson as he slowly made his way off in the 61st minute.
“Ronaldo put an elbow right into the back of O’Shea,” former Ireland midfielder Ronnie Whelan told RTE, via BBC Sport. “That had to be a red card.”
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Ronaldo red card: Portugal suffer in Ireland
Al-Nassr striker Ronaldo may have shown his frustration because the Selecao were 2-0 behind as part of a surprisingly tame performance during the first hour of their penultimate qualifier.
Forward Troy Parrott headed the 17th-minute opener and struck again in the 45th minute, with the hosts knowing victory would leave them requiring another win in Hungary on Sunday to guarantee at least second place.
The visitors, who close their campaign at home to Armenia on Sunday, would be two points clear at the top of the table ahead of the final round of games even if they lose, while Ireland will be unable to qualify if they suffer defeat.
Troy Parrott's goal that has given us the lead!
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 13, 2025
🇮🇪 1-0 🇵🇹
pic.twitter.com/1iAsTE9fSt
Republic of Ireland starting lineup vs Portugal
Burnley captain Josh Cullen missed Ireland’s 1-0 home win over Armenia on October 14 through suspension but the midfielder returned this time.
Jayson Molumby was banned and Mark Sykes, Jason Knight, Will Smallbone, Evan Ferguson and Robbie Brady were injured.
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved a Ronaldo penalty when Ireland lost 1-0 in Portugal on October 11.
Republic of Ireland starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Seamus Coleman, Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea, Jake O’Brien, Liam Scales, Finn Azaz, Jack Taylor, Josh Cullen, Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott
Ireland substitutes: Gavin Bazunu, Johnny Kenny, Adam Idah, Jimmy Dunne, Kevin O’Toole, Andrew Moran, John Egan, Conor Coventry, Jamie McGrath, Mikey Johnston, Festy Ebosele, Mark Travers
Portugal starting lineup vs Ireland
Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves have withdrawn from the Portugal squad but Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves returned from injury.
Portugal starting XI: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Diogo Dalot, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix
Portugal substitutes: Rui Silva, Nelson Semedo, Antonio Silva, Joao Palhinha, Carlos Forbs, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Carvalho, Renato Veiga, Trincao, Rafael Leao, Matheus Nunes, Francisco Conceicao
How to watch Republic of Ireland v Portugal: TV and online streams
Ireland vs Portugal kicked off on Thursday at 19:45 GMT (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT) and can be watched on Premier Sports 1 and streamed on the Premier Sports Player app.
A Premier Sports subscription costs £120 a year, £11.99 per month on a 12-month contract or £16.99 per month with 30 days’ cancellation notice required.
Ireland vs Portugal stats
- Ronaldo’s brace against Hungary in October saw him become the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying (41) and extend his record international goal tally to 143 in 235 appearances
- Portugal have qualified for the past six World Cup tournaments
- Portugal have won four and drawn one of their last five meetings with the Republic of Ireland
- The Republic of Ireland have not qualified for the World Cup finals since 2006
Portugal World Cup 2026 qualifying path
The top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the play-offs, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign. The games will comprise single-leg semi-finals and finals.
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place in December 2025. The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.