Ireland stun Portugal 2–0 as Ronaldo sees red and World Cup path stays alive

Ireland produced their best performance in over a decade on Thursday night, shocking Portugal 2–0 in Dublin and keeping their razor-thin route to the 2026 World Cup alive. Portugal, meanwhile, were left waiting to seal automatic qualification, and forced to finish the job without their captain, after Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for the first time in his 226-cap international career.

Troy Parrott delivered a first-half brace that sent the Aviva Stadium into full revolt and briefly rewrote the logic of Group F. For a team that last reached a World Cup in 2002, the stakes were simple: avoid defeat or disappear from contention. They did far more than that.

Ireland struck first on 17 minutes when Liam Scales recycled a corner back across goal, leaving Parrott with a tap-in. Chiedozie Ogbene then clipped the post before Parrott doubled the lead just before half-time with a sharp, low finish that Portugal’s defence never saw coming.

The visitors’ night unraveled fully on the hour when Ronaldo, frustrated and off-rhythm, drove an elbow into Dara O’Shea’s back. The yellow became red after review. Ronaldo sarcastically applauded the home crowd as he walked off, the moment crystallizing the mood: Ireland in full belief, Portugal in disbelief.

A month ago, Portugal were seconds from booking their seventh straight World Cup before Hungary’s late equaliser in Lisbon derailed everything. Now they remain two points clear at the top of Group F, and still likely to qualify automatically with a simple draw against Armenia. But the margin for error feels slimmer after Dublin.

Ireland, one point behind Hungary, now head to Budapest needing a win to reach next March’s playoffs. Another draw won’t be enough.

Parrott admitted the night felt almost unreal.

“Probably the best night of my life,” he told RTE. “It is such a relief and overwhelming feeling to see the hard work paying off… I am over the moon.”

Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson credited the atmosphere, and hinted the home crowd may have rattled Portugal’s captain.

“We have amazing fans as always… They have a lot of say in this win. [Ronaldo] lost his focus a little bit. Maybe it was the fans as well that helped a little bit.