The highly anticipated Group F clash of the 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers Round 5 wrapped up with a shock: Portugal suffered a 0-2 away defeat to Ireland, dashing their hopes of securing a World Cup spot ahead of schedule. Adding to the drama, 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a straight red card for elbowing an opponent—his first ever red card in 226 senior international appearances—casting a shadow over his final World Cup bid.
Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland celebrates scoring his team's first goal. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty
Details emerging suggest Ronaldo could face a 1-3 match ban for the incident. This would see him miss Portugal’s final qualifier against Armenia at home in November, and potentially even put his participation in next year’s World Cup in jeopardy. For Ronaldo, who has openly stated that the 2026 World Cup will be his last, this moment of indiscretion has undoubtedly added a bitter note to his legendary career.
Portugal need only a draw against bottom-placed Armenia in their final game to lock in top spot and qualify directly for the tournament. All eyes now turn to whether the team can hold their nerve without their iconic captain—will they step up to the plate, or will Ronaldo’s absence prove costly?
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