Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a straight red card for the first time in his international career spanning 226 games as Portugal were subjected to a shock 0-2 loss by the Republic of Ireland in a Group F World Cup qualifier clash on Thursday.
Troy Parrott headed the hosts into the lead in the 17th minute, before doubling up on the stroke of half-time. Ireland then dug in deep to frustrate their fancied opponents, whose task effectively became insurmountable when Ronaldo, 40, swung an elbow into Dara O’Shea’s back and was dismissed after a VAR review.
Ronaldo, the men’s all-time top goalscorer in international football (143), could potentially miss the start of the World Cup next year — if Portugal qualify — depending on the length of his ban. FIFA disciplinary rules require its judges to impose a ban of ‘at least two matches for serious foul play.’
Roberto Martinez
The ban should be ‘at least three matches for violent conduct’ or ‘at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.’ However, Portuguese manager Roberto Martinez defended Ronaldo’s actions, claiming that the sending off was ‘harsh.’
“I thought it was a bit harsh because for almost 60 minutes he was being grabbed, pulled and pushed [by the Ireland players]. The action looks worse than what it actually was. I don’t think he hit him with an elbow, it was a full-body push, but from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow,” said Martinez.
The loss means Portugal will have to wait a little while longer to book a spot at next year’s showpiece event. They remain on 10 points after five games, two points ahead of Hungary in second place.
Mbappe helps France qualify
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe hit a brace while Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike also scored as France beat Ukraine 4-0 on Thursday to secure World Cup qualification after an evening marked by tributes to the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks.
England beat Serbia 2-0
Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze maintained England’s flawless record on the road to the World Cup but Jude Bellingham was reduced to a cameo role in Thursday’s 2-0 win against Serbia. England, who had already qualified for the World Cup, made it seven successive Group K victories without conceding a goal.
654
Tolal matches Gary Linekar played for clubs and country without seeing a yellow or red card
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
