Portugal manager Roberto Martínez has criticised the decision to send off Cristiano Ronaldo in Thursday’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Ireland, describing the red card as “harsh” and insisting the forward’s actions were misinterpreted.
Ronaldo, dismissed for the first time in his 226 international appearances, initially received a yellow card for swinging an arm into the back of defender Dara O’Shea. However, following a VAR review, the booking was upgraded to a straight red — a decision that left Portugal facing an uphill battle in Dublin.
Martínez defended his captain, arguing that the incident was the product of persistent physical pressure rather than intent.
“He was being grabbed and pulled for almost 60 minutes,” Martínez said. “He’s trying to get free, and the action looks worse than it is. I don’t think it’s an elbow — it’s more a whole-body movement. But from the camera angle, it appears like an elbow. Still, we accept the decision.”
The Portugal coach also took aim at comments made by Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, who suggested ahead of the match that Ronaldo had “controlled the referee” in last month’s reverse fixture, which Portugal won 1–0.
“It leaves a bitter taste,” Martínez said. “Yesterday their coach implied referees could be influenced, and then a big centre-half goes down so dramatically from Cristiano simply turning. It’s disappointing.”
Despite the defeat, Portugal remain in a strong qualifying position. They sit two points ahead of Hungary at the top of Group F, with a superior goal difference and at least a playoff place guaranteed. Ireland trail by a further point as the group moves into its final round.
Portugal will host Armenia, while Ireland travel to Hungary on Sunday in matches that will decide the group’s automatic World Cup qualifier.
