Cristiano Ronaldo is at serious risk of being banned for at least the first game of the 2026 World Cup, after being shown a red card for the first time in his record-setting international career as Portugal slumped to a 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland.
Ronaldo was shown his marching orders for violent conduct in the 61st minute after elbowing Ireland defender Dara O'Shea away from the ball. After an initial yellow card, the referee was urged to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR and upgraded the decision to a red card.
It marked Ronaldo's first red card for Portugal in what was his 226th appearance, a record in men's international soccer. He has been sent off 13 times at club level.
The Al Nassr forward will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal host Armenia on Sunday knowing a win will secure a place at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA disciplinary rules require its judges to impose a ban of "at least two matches for serious foul play."
The ban should be "at least three matches for violent conduct" or "at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing."
A FIFA ban would apply to competitive games and could not be served in pre-tournament exhibitions.
Portugal went into the game knowing a win would secure their place at the 2026 World Cup, but Ireland stunned the visitors with two goals by Troy Parrott.
Portugal still lead Hungary by two points in Group F, meaning a win against Armenia will be enough for Ronaldo to reach his sixth World Cup.
In the buildup to the game, the Portugal captain had promised to be a "good boy" in anticipation of facing a tide of boos at the Aviva Stadium.
In the reverse fixture between the teams, Ronaldo celebrated Rúben Neves' last-gasp winner in the face of Ireland defender Jake O'Brien.
And Ireland fans accused the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star of having an undue influence over the match official on that occasion.
"I really like the fans here," he said ahead of the match. "The support they give to the national team, it's lovely. For me, it's a pleasure to come and play here again.
"Of course, it will be tough. I hope they don't boo me too much tomorrow. I swear that I'm going to try to be a good boy."
After being dismissed by the referee on Thursday, Ronaldo curled his lips in a wry look as he walked off the field being jeered and mocked by Ireland fans.
He stopped and looked at the fans, clapped his hands toward them and raised two thumbs up in an apparent sarcastic gesture.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN Research was used in this report.