Cristiano Ronaldo was despatched off as Republic of Eire surprised Portugal with a 2-0 win and compelled Roberto Martinez’s aspect to attend to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The reigning Nations League holders knew a win can be sufficient to safe their place at subsequent summer time’s event, however a Troy Parrott double put an finish to that risk.
The previous Tottenham – and present AZ Alkmaar – striker opened the scoring simply after the 15-minute mark with a close-range header, earlier than doubling Eire’s benefit on the stroke of half-time.
Portugal’s hopes of incomes a comeback had been harmed when talisman Ronaldo was despatched off for swinging an elbow at defender Dara O’Shea off the ball.
Cristiano Ronaldo fouled Dara O’Shea and was despatched off
Ronaldo was initially proven a yellow card for the incident, however noticed the warning upgraded following a VAR evaluate.
The end result signifies that Portugal will now must beat Armenia on Sunday to safe their place on the World Cup, whereas Eire play Hungary on Sunday, understanding a win would assure at the very least second within the group.
How Ronaldo might miss begin of World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo noticed his yellow card upgraded to a crimson
Ronaldo’s dismissal on the Aviva Stadium signifies that he will certainly miss Portugal’s remaining qualification tie towards Armenia on account of serving a minimal one-match suspension.
Nonetheless, the character of the crimson card signifies that the ahead might be hit with a three-match ban.
In FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, Chapter 2, Article 14(i) says that if a participant is shipped off for “assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent,” they need to serve a three-game ban.
Cristiano Ronaldo might miss the beginning of the World Cup on account of suspension
In that case, Ronaldo would miss Portugal’s opening two World Cup group stage recreation ought to they prime Group F, because the suspension would carry over to the event.
In the event that they had been to drop to second within the group and qualify via the play-offs, Ronaldo would then be obtainable for the beginning of the event even when his suspension was prolonged.
A choice on the size of the Portugal captain’s ban might be made by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
France guide World Cup spot as Italy power Norway to attend
Kylian Mbappe’s penalty helped France safe their place on the 2026 World Cup
Elsewhere, France booked their tickets to North America as a Kylian Mbappe double helped Didier Deschamps’ aspect overcome Ukraine 4-0 on the Parc des Princes.
Mbappe scored both aspect of Michael Olise’s purpose earlier than Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike rounded off the scoring to make sure that Les Bleus confirmed their place, having made it to the ultimate in every of the final two World Cup’s.
Earlier, Erling Haaland continued his unbelievable goalscoring kind as Norway demolished Estonia 4-1 to all however safe their qualification.
Erling Haaland celebrates scoring his second purpose for Norway towards Estonia
4 targets in 12 second half minutes, two coming from the Manchester Metropolis striker, put Stale Solbakken’s staff in command and go away them on the point of qualifying.
Norway would have secured their passage had Italy failed to come back out on prime towards Moldova. Nonetheless, late targets from Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito meant that the Azzurri delayed what seems to be the inevitable.
Italy compelled Norway to attend to qualify for the World Cup by beating Moldova
Norway will journey to Italy for his or her remaining qualification recreation, with the hosts needing to win and produce a 17-goal swing to be able to leapfrog the present Group I leaders.
