Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo was widely mocked by home fans after being sent off for elbowing Dara O’Shea in the Selecao’s 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland.
Ronaldo threw an elbow towards O’Shea while the two tussled in the Ireland box and he was originally given a yellow card for the challenge, before a VAR review changed the decision and referee Glenn Nyberg sent off the 40-year-old in the 61st minute. Ronaldo had promised to behave ahead of the match, while Ireland manager Heimir Halgrimsson said that “it should be the officials doing the refereeing” after he felt that Ronaldo influenced the officials in Ireland’s 1-0 loss in October.
But Ronaldo’s pre-match demeanour soon changed as his side went two goals down thanks to a brace from AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott, with the Portuguese seen gesturing towards Ireland centre-back Nathan Collins moments before being sent off.
