What happened to Cristiano Ronaldo in the World Cup qualifier?

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal star, was sent off for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O'Shea during a World Cup 2026 qualifying match.

How long could Ronaldo's suspension be?

Ronaldo risks a 2-game ban, which could see him missing Portugal's first match of the 2026 World Cup if they qualify.

How did Ireland perform against Portugal?

Ireland scored a surprise 2-0 lead over Portugal before Ronaldo's dismissal, reviving their hopes of World Cup qualification.

Home / Sports / Ronaldo Sent Off, Faces World Cup Ban After Elbow Incident

Ronaldo Sent Off, Faces World Cup Ban After Elbow Incident

14 Nov

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Summary

Cristiano Ronaldo sent off for elbowing Ireland defender
Ronaldo risks 2-game ban, could miss World Cup opener
Ireland scored 2 surprise goals to lead Portugal

Ronaldo Sent Off, Faces World Cup Ban After Elbow Incident

On November 13, 2025, Portugal's star player Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off during a World Cup qualifying match against Ireland. The incident occurred around the hour mark at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with Ireland holding a surprise 2-0 lead.

Ronaldo swung his right elbow into the back of Ireland defender Dara O'Shea, prompting the referee to initially issue a yellow card. However, after a video review, the card was upgraded to a red, resulting in Ronaldo's dismissal from the game.

The loss of Ronaldo is a significant blow for Portugal, as the 35-year-old now faces a potential 2-game ban. This suspension could see him miss Portugal's first match of the 2026 World Cup, should they qualify for the tournament.