Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic night took a harsh turn as the Portuguese captain received the first red card of his international career during Portugal’s 2–0 loss to the Republic of Ireland.

The incident came early in the second half when Ronaldo’s elbow on Dara O’Shea was upgraded from yellow to red after a VAR review, leaving Portugal shaken and a man short.

Ireland capitalised with confidence, backed by Troy Parrott’s clinical first-half brace that sealed a memorable victory in Dublin.

The result puts Portugal’s qualification hopes under pressure, with Ronaldo now facing a potential ban at a crucial stage.

For a player known for rewriting records, this rare setback adds unexpected drama to the closing chapter of his legendary career.