Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Dublin turned into one of the most dramatic nights of his international career as the Portugal captain received a red card during his side’s World Cup qualifying defeat to the Republic of Ireland. What began as a match filled with anticipation quickly evolved into a fiery spectacle—one that featured clashes, controversy, managerial mind games, and a rare dismissal for one of football’s greatest icons.

Before the match, Ronaldo joked that he would “try to be a good boy” to avoid provoking the Irish crowd. Yet emotions ran high, and the 40-year-old forward ultimately joined legendary Frenchman Thierry Henry on the short list of players Irish supporters love to hate.

Ronaldo Sent Off After Clash With Dara O’Shea

With Portugal already 2–0 down after Troy Parrott’s impressive first-half brace, the game’s turning point came on the hour mark. As Ronaldo fought for position in the penalty area, he appeared to push his elbow and upper body into defender Dara O’Shea’s back. The Ipswich Town defender fell to the ground, prompting an immediate uproar from the home crowd at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

Referee Glenn Nyberg initially issued Ronaldo a yellow card, but after VAR intervention and a pitch-side monitor review, the decision was upgraded to a straight red. The dismissal was only Ronaldo’s first in 226 international appearances—another dramatic milestone in his long and illustrious career.

Rather than accepting his fate quietly, Ronaldo reacted with sarcasm and frustration. He applauded the Irish supporters with a smirk, exchanged heated words with Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, and left the pitch amid a mix of cheers and jeers.

Hallgrimsson: ‘Maybe I Got in Ronaldo’s Head’

The touchline confrontation between Ronaldo and Hallgrimsson added another layer to an already intense evening. Their verbal exchange followed comments made by Hallgrimsson ahead of the match, when he urged officials not to be swayed by Ronaldo’s star power—suggesting the Portuguese legend had “controlled the referee” during the teams’ previous meeting in October.

After the match, Hallgrimsson said he believed Ronaldo’s reaction spoke for itself.

“He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee,” Hallgrimsson explained. “But it was his own action on the pitch that cost him the red card. It had nothing to do with me—unless I somehow got in his head.”

Asked if he spoke with Ronaldo after full-time, the Irish manager brushed it off: “No, we said enough when he walked off. It was just a moment of silliness from him.”

Roberto Martinez Defends Ronaldo: ‘It Was Harsh’

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez unsurprisingly saw things differently. He expressed disbelief that the referee chose to send off a player who had never been dismissed in over 200 international matches.

“The red card was harsh,” Martinez told reporters. “Ronaldo had been pushed, grabbed, and pulled for nearly an hour. The action looks worse on camera than it really was. I don’t think it was an elbow—it was more of a full-body movement.”

But Martinez also criticized Hallgrimsson’s pre-match comments about officiating, hinting that they may have influenced perceptions during the key moment.

“What leaves a bitter taste is that yesterday your coach talked about referees being influenced,” Martinez said. “Then we see a centre-half going down dramatically from a small turn of Cristiano’s body.”

Could Ronaldo Miss the World Cup?

Ronaldo is already suspended for Portugal’s next qualifier against Armenia. However, the consequences could be far more significant. Under FIFA’s disciplinary rules, an elbowing incident can lead to a minimum three-match ban.

If Portugal qualify directly for the World Cup, Ronaldo could miss two group-stage matches next summer—potentially affecting what many expect to be his final appearance on the world stage.

However, if Portugal fall into the play-offs, Ronaldo would serve his suspension during those matches instead, reducing the impact on his World Cup campaign.

A FIFA disciplinary committee will now decide Ronaldo’s fate, adding even more uncertainty to what has already been a tumultuous week for the Portuguese superstar.

A Dramatic Night in Dublin for Ronaldo

Ronaldo once said he had “lovely memories” of Dublin, where he played his first match for Real Madrid in a 2009 friendly. But this match will be remembered for controversy rather than nostalgia. A heated clash with Dara O’Shea, spirited verbal jabs with Heimir Hallgrimsson, and one of the rarest moments in his career—a red card—combined to make this a night that Irish supporters will not soon forget.

No matter the disciplinary outcome, Ronaldo’s explosive return to Ireland has already become one of the most talked-about moments of this World Cup qualifying cycle.