Our moment of the week comes from last week’s Thursday World Cup qualifier between Portugal and Ireland. A player who had up to that stage never received a red card while playing for his country. It’s a moment that could have far-reaching consequences for the global football star.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of a sixth World Cup is hanging by a thread. The Portuguese icon, who has never seen red in his glittering international career, was sensationally sent off during Thursday’s shock 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
What began as a yellow card for an elbow on defender Dara O’Shea turned into a nightmare. After a tense pitch-side review, the referee upgraded the booking to a straight red - an unprecedented moment in Ronaldo’s 226 appearances for Portugal.
Look at Ronaldo’s shirt, this is a clear foul. He was just trying to shake off. What a shame, never a red card..
— Cristiano Ronaldo News (@CRonaldoNews) November 14, 2025
pic.twitter.com/XbZQRt2lXh
The timing couldn’t be worse. FIFA’s disciplinary code demands at least a two-match ban for “serious foul play” and three or more for “violent conduct,” including elbowing. Pre-tournament friendlies won’t count, meaning Portugal could start their World Cup campaign without their talisman. A verdict may take weeks, leaving fans and teammates in agonising suspense.
Portugal, meanwhile, stormed to a 9-1 demolition of Armenia on Sunday to seal their ticket to the 2026 finals - but without their captain on the pitch. For Ronaldo, the stakes couldn’t be higher: one rash moment now threatens to derail his quest for history.
🗣️ "This is my five minutes now, so I better make the most of it!"
— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) November 14, 2025
Chris Hernon, the Ireland fan who went viral for his crying reaction to Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card at the Aviva Stadium, says his phone has been “blowing up” since last night.#VMNews pic.twitter.com/s0afHzjEuo
