On the brink of World Cup history, Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card for violent conduct in Portugal’s 2–0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday evening.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said Cristiano Ronaldo's red card against Ireland was harsh after the forward was sent off for the first time in an international match in their 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat in Dublin on Thursday.

Portugal fell 2-0 to Ireland and missed the chance to secure their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They were stunned by two first-half goals from Troy Parrott and could not recover from the blow. On top of that, Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off following a VAR review.

Viral claims online appear to over-extend a recently approved law that will ban face veils in public in Portugal. View on euronews

Celtic centre-half Liam Scales set up the opening goal as Republic of Ireland beat Portugal 2-0 to keep alive their hopes of World Cup qualification. Scales met a corner swung to the far post and his header across the face of goal was met by Troy Parrott for the first of the AZ Alkmaar striker's double in Dublin.

Portugal seeks to secure its qualification for the next World Cup in Ireland, but at the moment they are losing 2-0 to Ireland. The hero for Ireland is Troy Parrott, who scored the 1-0 in the 17th