Ireland 2-0 Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo sees red as Troy Parrott nets double to keep World Cup hopes alive for the Boys in Green | OneFootball

Portugal have been beaten for the first time in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers following a 2-0 defeat to Ireland on Thursday.

Needing a win to confirm their place as winners of Group F, Roberto Martinez’s men headed into the game as favourites.

Cristiano Ronaldo had an early sight of goal but was unable to get any purchase on his backheel attempt.

The 40-year-old wasted no time taking his next bite at the cherry in the 10th minute, and this time, he got too much on his effort from inside the box, which flew well over the target.

A moment of madness from Diogo Costa was almost exploited fully by Troy Parrott, but Costa just about managed to force a corner.

However, Ireland took the lead from the resulting set-piece with Parrott turning home Liam Scales’ header across goal from point-blank range.

Buoyed by their opener, Ireland started to show more attacking impetus and called Costa into action just shy of the 20th mark through Finn Azaz.

The home side continued to keep out their visitors at the other end as Ruben Neves had a long-range shot comfortably saved, moments before Joao Neves saw his effort flash wide of the mark.

Brought into the XI to replace the injured Pedro Neto, Joao Felix sent a header off target after he was found by Joao Cancelo.

Down the other end, Ireland came within inches of doubling their lead when Chidozie Ogbene’s effort hit the base of the post as the game became increasingly stretched in the closing stages of the first half.

Ireland were perhaps a tad lucky to have survived a huge scare five minutes from the interval following a Caoimhin Kelleher save and a couple of kind bounces inside the penalty area.

The hosts’ evening went from good to even better in the final minute of the opening 45 as Parrott grabbed a second of the contest, firing inside the near post past an unsighted Costa.

With his side down by two, Martinez made two changes at half time with Nelson Semedo and Ruben Veiga replacing Goncalo Inacio and Joao Cancelo.

Veiga nearly turned provider for Vitinha within moments of coming on, but the midfielder miscued his effort from close range.

As the hour mark approached, Portugal were unable to get any change out of Ireland, which led to increased frustration for the away side.

This culminated in a red card for Ronaldo in the 61st minute after the Portuguese skipper threw an elbow at Dara O’Shea.

Portugal’s task to salvage a point unsurprisingly became more complicated after Ronaldo’s dismissal, with Ireland remaining resolute at the back.

Despite not getting himself on the score sheet, Ogbene left the field to a standing ovation from the home crowd after terrorising the opposition backline with his tireless running all game long.

Having failed to test Kelleher in the second period, Portugal finally called the Brentford man into action in the 87th minute via a zipping attempt from substitute Goncalo Ramos which drew a fine save.

Kelleher was on hand to gather Ruben Neves’ effort in second-half stoppage time before Ramos had two unsuccessful pops at the Ireland goal barely 60 seconds apart.

That brought an end to a well-deserved victory for Ireland, who have beaten Portugal for the first time since 2005 to keep their hunt for a playoff place alive heading into Sunday’s final fixture against Hungary.

For Portugal, a win on Sunday against Armenia would see them secure a spot in North America next year, although a draw could also be enough.