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Cristiano Ronaldo could miss the first game of the World Cup after being handed his first ever international red card against Ireland on Thursday.
The Portuguese veteran was given his marching orders for a frustrated elbow on Dara O’Shea on the hour mark of his side’s shocking 2-0 defeat in Dublin.
Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure after a dismal first-half performance from Portugal, who found themselves two down after a brace from Troy Parrott.
And shortly after half-time, the 40-year-old let his frustrations well and truly get the better of him.
Following a wayward cross from Diogo Dalot, Ronaldo flung an arm at Ipswich Town centre-back O’Shea, who went to the ground clutching his face in what was initially deemed an offense worthy of a yellow card.
But after a VAR review, the referee eventually upgraded his caution to a red card – the first of Ronaldo’s glittering international career.
Cristiano Ronaldo was handed his first ever international red card against Ireland on Thursday
It was a decision met with disbelief by Ronaldo, who sarcastically applauded the raucous Aviva Stadium crowd before trudging towards the tunnel.
The Portuguese appeared to continue his complaints as he approached the dugouts, appearing to mouth ‘well done’ towards the Irish bench.
It means the former Real Madrid forward will miss Portugal’s final World Cup Qualifier on Sunday against Armenia, one in which they go into just two points clear of Armenia.
But in worse news for Ronaldo, the sending off could also mean that he misses the first game of next summer’s World Cup – likely to be his last – in America, Canada and Mexico should Portugal qualify.
Suspensions picked up as a consequence of an accumulation of yellow cards do not carry over into tournaments, according to FIFA, but in a hammer blow for the Portuguese striker, straight red cards do.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow.
