Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo knows he made a significant error that led to the first red card of his illustrious international career, according to his teammate Bruno Fernandes. The shocking dismissal occurred during Portugal's unexpected 2-0 defeat against the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin.
A Costly Outburst on the Pitch
The incident that marred the match happened on the hour mark at a packed Aviva Stadium. After a wayward cross evaded him, a visibly frustrated Ronaldo flung an arm towards Republic of Ireland defender Dara O'Shea. The Ipswich Town player went to ground, initially leading the referee to show a yellow card.
However, following a VAR review, the sanction was upgraded to a straight red card for violent conduct. This momentous decision on Ronaldo's 226th international appearance was met with disbelief from the veteran forward, who responded with sarcastic applause towards the Irish supporters before trudging down the tunnel.
Teammate's Frank Admission and Consequences
Speaking ahead of Portugal's crucial qualifier against Armenia, Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes gave a candid assessment. ‘That happens in football, a moment where Cris had a reaction that cost him dearly,' Fernandes stated. ‘Something he didn't want to do, but it ended up happening. He knows he made a mistake and unfortunately couldn't help us.'
Fernandes, who was serving a one-match ban during the Ireland defeat, did note that the team was already trailing, but admitted that losing a player of Ronaldo's calibre made their task more difficult.
The red card means Ronaldo will miss the Armenia match through suspension. More worryingly for Portugal, as straight red cards in international football typically carry a two-match ban, Ronaldo could be forced to miss the first game of what is expected to be his final World Cup, should Portugal qualify.
Contrasting Reactions and Historical Context
The fallout from the incident has seen contrasting opinions. Portugal manager Roberto Martinez immediately defended his captain, insisting the act was not 'violent' and suggesting the VAR angle made it appear worse.
Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson, however, believed Ronaldo lost focus, potentially influenced by the home fans who had been mocking him. Hallgrimsson revealed Ronaldo had even made a crying gesture towards Irish defender Nathan Collins moments before the sending-off.
The dismissal adds a dramatic chapter to Ronaldo's long history with Irish football, ironically coming just hours after he had promised to be a 'good boy' upon his return to Dublin. Despite the setback, Portugal remains two points clear at the top of their qualification group and can still secure their World Cup berth in the upcoming match.
