Swinging elbow earns Ronaldo first ever international red card

[ad_1] Eire shocked Portugal 2-0 on Friday (AEDT) to maintain their slender path to subsequent 12 months's World Cup open and make the Nations League winners wait to e book an automated spot on an evening the place their captain Cristiano Ronaldo was despatched off.

Eire, who haven't certified for a serious match in a decade and final reached a World Cup in 2002, wanted at the least a draw to maintain their qualification hopes alive and a primary half Troy Parrott double capped their greatest efficiency in years.

They nonetheless want a win in Budapest on Sunday to assert a spot in subsequent March's play-offs after second-placed Hungary received 1-0 in Armenia. A draw at residence to bottom-placed Armenia is probably going essentially the most Portugal must safe automated qualification.

However they should do it with out Ronaldo, whose preliminary yellow card for lashing out with an elbow to the again of Eire defender Dara O'Shea was upgraded after overview to his first-ever purple card for Portugal in his 226th look.

Portugal, who had been moments away from securing their seventh successive World Cup look a month in the past earlier than a stoppage-time Hungarian equaliser in Lisbon, fell behind on 17 minutes after Liam Scales headed a fizzed-in nook again throughout purpose, and Parrott couldn't miss.

Nicely well worth the lead, Eire went inches from doubling it when Chiedozie Ogbene struck the put up with a advantageous effort earlier than in-form AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott discovered the underside nook with an excellent end from the same distance simply earlier than the break.

Eire, who defended gallantly within the reverse fixture earlier than happening to a late purpose, didn't require a repeat as soon as Ronaldo obtained his marching orders on the hour, sarcastically clapping the delighted residence followers as he departed.

Portugal, who're assured at the least a play-off spot, are two factors away from Hungary on the prime of Group F with a superior purpose distinction. The Irish are one level additional again.