Cristiano Ronaldo could be suspended for the start of next summer’s World Cup finals, if Portugal qualify for the tournament.

The footballing icon recorded an unwanted first in his illustrious career on Thursday night as he was sent off at international level for the very first time in 226 senior caps during his country’s shock qualifying defeat by the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

With out-of-sorts Portugal trailing 2-0 at the Aviva Stadium courtesy of Troy Parrott’s first-half brace, Ronaldo received an initial yellow card from Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg just past the hour mark after his elbow went into the back of Dara O’Shea as the two players jostled for position at a corner.

However, Nyberg was advised by VAR official Pol van Boekel to watch the incident back on the pitchs

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