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Ronaldo’s Red Card Shakes Portugal: A Rare Blip in a Legendary Career

13 November 2025

Ronaldo’s Red Card Shakes Portugal: A Rare Blip in a Legendary Career
Ronaldo’s rare red card caps a dramatic moment in Portugal’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Key Moment and Result

Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo started the match against Ireland but could not spark a comeback as Ireland led 2-0 at halftime in the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In the 59th minute, Ronaldo directed an elbow to the back of Ireland’s Dara O’Shea off the ball, earning a yellow card at first. The incident prompted a VAR review, and the referee consulted again on the pitch.

Ultimately, the yellow was overturned and Ronaldo was shown a red card, leaving Portugal with ten men and trailing 0-2 as the game progressed.

Opta statistics noted that Ronaldo’s red card was his first in international football, coming in his 226th appearance for Portugal.

Author

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Ronaldo in the Ireland match?

Ronaldo was involved in a 59th-minute elbow incident off the ball, initially earning a yellow card before the video assistant referee prompted a review that led to a red card.

How does Ronaldo’s international discipline compare to his club career?

Internationally, Ronaldo has a relatively clean record with 32 yellow cards in 226 appearances before this match. At club level, his career has included more red cards (notably across Sporting, United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr).

Why is Ronaldo’s red card notable?

It was Ronaldo’s first red card in international play after 226 appearances, contrasting with a long-standing reputation for discipline in international football.