The Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off yesterday in the 61st minute of the match against Ireland in the qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cup, after provoking an elbow to the back of a rival defender. The referee of the match, the Swede Glenn Nyberg, initially showed Ronaldo a yellow card, but after the VAR review, he changed his decision and showed Ronaldo a direct red card. He will not be able to play in the next group stage match this Sunday against Armenia, a team against which Portugal will have to go for the World Cup ticket after a crushing defeat to Ireland with a score of 0-2, in a gray match. This is the first time Ronaldo has been sent off in his career with the senior Portugal national team, after 22 years wearing the jersey and 226 matches played. Ireland, led by Heimir Hallgrimsson, outplayed Portugal in the areas in an exercise of defensive solidarity and strategy from set-pieces, in addition to having an inspired Troy Parrot, author of both goals.
