Republic Of Ireland 2-0 Portugal, FIFA WC '26 European Qualifiers: CR7 Sent Off As IRE Win
Cristiano Ronaldo is at serious risk of being banned for the first game of the 2026 World Cup if Portugal qualifies as expected. The football superstar was sent off for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the second half of a qualifying game Thursday that Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin. Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday knowing a win will secure a place at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA disciplinary rules require its judges to impose a ban of “at least two matches for serious foul play.”
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison
Portugal's Rafael Leao, top, duels for the ball with Ireland's Seamus Coleman during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison
Ireland fans celebrate at the end of a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison
Ireland's Troy Parrott (7) scores the opening goal during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: Liam McBurney/PA via AP
Ireland's Liam Scales, right, tries to block a shot from Portugal's Nelson Semedo, center, during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: Niall Carson/PA via AP
Portugal's Joao Felix, top, duels for the ball with Ireland's Seamus Coleman during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison
Portugal's Nelson Semedo, left, and Republic of Ireland's Finn Azaz in action during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: Niall Carson/PA via AP
Ireland's Jack Taylor, right, duels for the ball with Portugal's Joao Neves during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison
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