RONALDO SEES RED AS IRELAND SHOCK PORTUGAL IN DUBLIN. (PHOTO).

 Ronaldo sees Red as Ireland shock Portugal in Dublin

Ireland delivered one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday night, defeating Portugal 2–0 in Dublin on a night dominated by Troy Parrott’s brilliance and Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic red card.

The Aviva Stadium erupted as Ireland produced a tireless, disciplined performance that stunned a star-studded Portuguese side chasing early qualification.

The hosts struck in both halves, while Portugal unravelled under pressure, losing control, momentum, and eventually their captain.

Ireland took the lead in the 17th minute when Liam Scales lifted a perfect pass toward Parrott, who climbed highest to guide a precise header past Diogo Costa.

The goal ignited the crowd and forced Portugal to chase the game, but despite long spells of possession, the visitors lacked sharpness in the final third.

Roberto Martínez’s side pressed hard for an equaliser, with Joao Félix, Vitinha and Diogo Dalot all going close, but Ireland’s defence anchored by Scales and Caoimhín Kelleher, held firm.

Ireland scored their second goal on 45th minute. Parrott powered through the defence with a superb solo run before slotting into the bottom corner to make it 2-0, his second of the night and arguably one of the best goals of the qualifiers.

The turning point arrived just after the hour mark. Ronaldo, already on a yellow card for a reckless lunge, went into another late challenge that triggered a VAR check.

After a review, Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg upgraded the caution to a straight red, sending the 40-year-old off to stunned silence from his teammates and a roar from the home fans.

The second half saw Portugal dominate possession yet struggle to break down Ireland’s compact shape. Substitutions from Martínez changed little, while Ireland’s energy, organisation and relentless pressing kept the visitors at bay.