2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier (UEFA Group F)
Date: November 13, 2025 Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
This stunning upset saw Ireland stun the fifth-ranked Portugal to keep their qualification hopes alive. Troy Parrott scored both goals for the hosts in the first half, while Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in the second half—his first-ever red card in 226 international appearances—for elbowing defender Dara O'Shea. The result leaves Portugal top of Group F with 10 points from 4 matches (3W-1L), but now just 2 points ahead of Hungary and 3 ahead of Ireland (both on 7 points). Portugal can secure automatic qualification with a win over Armenia on November 16, while Ireland need a victory against Hungary that day for a playoff spot.
Lineups
Republic of Ireland (3-4-2-1):
- GK: Caoimhín Kelleher
- DEF: Dara O'Shea, Evan Collins, Jake O'Brien
- MID: Liam Scales, Jack Taylor, Josh Cullen, Séamus Coleman
- FWD: Finn Azaz, Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott
Manager: Heimir Hallgrímsson
Portugal (3-4-3):
- GK: Diogo Costa
- DEF: Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes
- MID: João Neves, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Dalot
- FWD: João Félix, Cristiano Ronaldo (c), Pedro Neto
Manager: Roberto Martínez
Substitutions:
- Ireland: None notable in key moments (defensive focus post-lead).
- Portugal: Rafael Leão (for Neto, 63'), Bruno Fernandes (for Vitinha, 68'), Gonçalo Ramos (for Félix, 78')—all ineffective in breaking down Ireland's defense.
Match Summary
Ireland produced one of their finest performances in recent years, absorbing intense Portuguese pressure while capitalizing on counter-attacks. Portugal dominated possession (68%) and shots (18-6), but lacked clinical finishing, hitting the woodwork twice and wasting chances through wastefulness from Félix and Dalot. Ireland's defense, led by O'Shea and Kelleher (key saves), held firm, extending their unbeaten home streak to six matches (W4 D2). The win marks Ireland's first victory over Portugal since 1988 and their biggest scalp since beating Germany in 2014.
First Half
- 17' GOAL! Ireland 1-0 Portugal (Troy Parrott): Parrott, in red-hot form with 13 goals in 14 AZ Alkmaar games this season, latched onto a long ball from O'Shea, outpaced Inácio, cut inside Dias, and fired low past Costa at the near post. Ireland's first real attack breaks the deadlock.
- 19' Chance Portugal: João Neves' angled drive flashes across goal—close, but no touch.
- 38' Chance Ireland: Ogbene races onto O'Shea's clearance and rattles the far post with a fierce shot. Agonizingly near for a 2-0 lead.
- 45' Chance Portugal: Félix heads Dias' cross over from 6 yards—wasteful.
- 45+1' GOAL! Ireland 2-0 Portugal (Troy Parrott): Just before halftime, Parrott again exploits space, timing a run onto O'Shea's lofted pass perfectly. He shrugs off Mendes, turns inside, and slots home at the near post. Parrott's brace (his first international goals) sends the Aviva into delirium. Half-time: Ireland 2-0.
Second Half
- 45' Restart: Portugal push hard, with Dalot firing over twice early on. Kelleher denies Félix from a tight angle (52').
- 61' RED CARD! Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo: Ronaldo swings an elbow at O'Shea's back off the ball during a corner tussle. Initially yellow-carded, VAR prompts a review—upgraded to red for violent conduct. Ronaldo's first Portugal sending-off; he shakes hands with Hallgrímsson before trudging off. Portugal down to 10 men.
- 63'-78' Portugal Onslaught: Waves of attacks—Leão and Fernandes enter, but Ireland repel. Dalot skies another effort; Ramos heads wide. Kelleher's save on Silva's curler (79') is pivotal.
- 86' Late Chance Portugal: Bernardo Silva's free-kick forces a fingertip save from Kelleher. Desperate but denied.
- Full Time: Ireland hold on for a historic 2-0 win. Portugal's first loss since March 2025.
Key Stats
| Category | Ireland | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 32% | 68% |
| Shots (On Target) | 6 (3) | 18 (5) |
| Corners | 2 | 8 |
| Fouls | 12 | 9 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 (Cullen) | 2 (Ronaldo red, Dias) |
| Offsides | 1 | 3 |
| xG (Expected Goals) | 1.2 | 2.1 |
- Man of the Match: Troy Parrott (Ireland) – Brace, constant threat, 9.2/10 rating.
- Discipline Impact: Ronaldo's red (Article 14(i) FIFA code: potential 3-match ban, carrying over to World Cup group stage if Portugal qualify top).
- Group F Standings (Post-Match):
- Portugal: 10 pts (+7 GD)
- Hungary: 7 pts (+3 GD)
- Ireland: 7 pts (-1 GD)
- Armenia: 3 pts (-9 GD)
Post-Match Reactions
- Heimir Hallgrímsson (Ireland Manager): "This is probably the best night of my life. The hard work paid off—we defended like lions and struck clinically. Troy [Parrott] is a star."
- Roberto Martínez (Portugal Manager): "Devastating. We dominated but couldn't convert. The red card changed everything, but credit to Ireland—they deserved it."
- Cristiano Ronaldo: No comment; visible frustration on exit. This loss delays his 7th straight World Cup qualification.
- Fan Buzz on X: Shockwaves, with clips of Ronaldo's red going viral (e.g., "Ronaldo's first red in 226 caps—karma?"). Irish fans celebrate "new folklore," while Portuguese supporters eye Armenia revenge.
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