Ireland coach: Ronaldo acted foolishly

TPO - Ronaldo accused coach Heimir Hallgrimsson of "pumped fuel on the fire" when the referee showed him a red card. However, according to the captain of the Irish team, CR7 should blame himself.

Ronaldo got into trouble for his foul.

Ronaldo was sent off in the 62nd minute after elbowing Dara O'Shea. Initially, CR7 only received a yellow card. The referee reviewed VAR and decided to give the Portuguese captain a red card.

"He sarcastically said I was trying to put pressure on the referee. But listen, that has nothing to do with me. It was Ronaldo's actions on the pitch that caused him to be sent off," coach Hallgrimsson revealed what Ronaldo said when he passed him.

"Ronaldo's sending off has nothing to do with me, unless I've gotten into his brain. Ronaldo said it was my smart move (to put pressure on the referee - PV). He blamed the referee or anyone for the red card. But it was Ronaldo's stupid action to hit my player," coach Hallgrimsson declared.

On the other side of the front line, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez spoke up to defend Ronaldo. Martinez commented: "It was difficult for Ronaldo when he kept colliding with the defenders who were trying to hold him back. There was no intention of violence in that situation, Ronaldo was just trying to push them away. CR7 was unlucky, I think the camera angles showed the situation was worse than it actually was. This is the first time Ronaldo has received a red card in the national team, unbelievable."

After the match between Portugal and Ireland, European media simultaneously dissected Ronaldo's controversial situation. BeIN Sport called it CR7's uncontrolled behavior. The42 page in Ireland criticized Ronaldo, calling it an unnecessary impulsive act.

Ronaldo and his teammates only need to beat Ireland to officially set foot in the 2026 World Cup. But the European Selecao lost 0-2 away. Coach Martinez and his team will meet Armenia in the final match and must win to ensure the leading position. If they lose to Armenia, Portugal will face the risk of being overtaken by their opponents.

Difficulties piled up when Ronaldo was suspended for the next match. Portuguese media called CR7's red card a disaster, as it would have a significant psychological impact on the Portuguese players in the decisive stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Europe.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/hlv-ireland-ronaldo-co-hanh-dong-ngo-ngan-post1796091.tpo