Cristiano Ronaldo has racked up 226 senior appearances for Portugal in a 22-year span. He is by no means gotten a pink card in worldwide play — till Thursday.
Throughout a World Cup qualifying match in opposition to Eire, Ronaldo was despatched off for the primary time in his worldwide profession for throwing an elbow at Irish defender Dara O’Shea. The Portuguese ahead was initially given a yellow earlier than VAR upgraded it to a straight pink within the 61st minute.
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Eire shocked Portugal with a 2-0 win within the recreation, as ahead Troy Parrott scored a brace within the first half.
Moments earlier than the incident, Ronaldo held his arms up and mimed crying, seemingly directing it on the Irish gamers. After the pink card was given, although, Ronaldo made a face and held up his arms with two thumbs up earlier than exiting the sphere.
The incident comes someday after Ronaldo promised to behave himself, even within the face of 1000’s of Irish followers in Aviva Stadium who had been prone to boo him. Ronaldo suspected that his celebrations earlier in qualifiers — as Portugal picked up a last-minute win over Eire at dwelling — wouldn’t imply a heat reception from Eire’s supporters.
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“I actually just like the followers right here. The assist they offer to their nationwide crew is gorgeous. For me, it is a pleasure to return to play right here once more,” Ronaldo Wednesday. “I hope they do not boo an excessive amount of to me tomorrow. I swear that I am gonna attempt to be a superb boy.”
Fortunately for Eire’s crowd, that quote did not age properly. Irish followers jeered at Ronaldo as he exited, holding up their telephones to movie the second, with some imitating Ronaldo’s crying movement after the pink card was proven.
(Liam McBurney/PA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures)
(Liam McBurney – PA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures)
Although Ronaldo has actually been booked through the years — he is acquired practically 30 yellow playing cards throughout his time with the nationwide crew, per — he has by no means been given a pink card whereas enjoying for Portugal. Ronaldo has gotten despatched off a couple of occasions in his membership profession, receiving 10 pink playing cards throughout his 24 years as a professional; his final pink was within the 2018-19 season, when he was with Juventus.
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Eire’s surprising win shakes issues up in Group F, with just one matchday left within the qualifying spherical. Portugal at present leads the group with 10 factors, with Hungary sitting in second with eight. Eire now has seven factors after the win.
Matchday 10 might be winner-take-all as Eire and Hungary face one another, however Portugal will want solely a win or a draw in opposition to Armenia to win the group, with a goal-differential benefit over Hungary as properly.