Cristiano Ronaldo endured a night to forget as the Republic of Ireland stunned Portugal 2-0 in a fiery World Cup qualifying clash in Dublin. The upset began early, with Troy Parrott putting Ireland ahead from a set-piece before doubling the advantage just before halftime, sending the Aviva Stadium into jubilation.
Portugal struggled to break through a disciplined Irish defence, and tensions boiled over when Ronaldo’s elbow on Dara O’Shea — initially punished with a yellow — was upgraded to a red after VAR intervention. It marked the first time the Portuguese star had been sent off in a World Cup qualifier, leaving his side to chase the game with ten men.
Ireland’s resilient display has reignited their qualification hopes, while Portugal, still leading the group, now face added pressure going into the final fixtures.
Elsewhere, France booked their place at the 2026 World Cup with an emphatic win over Ukraine, underlining their dominance and ensuring early passage to the global stage.
A night of shocks, statements, and shifting momentum — with Ireland’s triumph standing out as one of the biggest surprises of the qualifiers.
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