In the aftermath of Portugal’s unexpected setback against the Republic of Ireland, Bruno Fernandes has spoken out, acknowledging that Cristiano Ronaldo recognizes the gravity of his actions during the match. Ronaldo faced ejection from the game after an incident of violent conduct, undermining his otherwise illustrious international career.

The pivotal moment came when Ronaldo, clearly agitated by Portugal’s lackluster first-half performance, lashed out. His frustration culminated in an elbow aimed at Dara O’Shea, following a misjudged cross that had slipped through his grasp. This act of aggression was initially met with a yellow card, but upon review through VAR, it was escalated to a red card, marking a dramatic first in Ronaldo’s 226 international match appearances.

Adding to the tension on the field, Ronaldo appeared to mock Irish defender Nathan Collins, insinuating that Collins was feigning injury just before the incident that led to his dismissal. This further highlighted Ronaldo’s mounting frustration during the game.

His reaction to the red card was one of disbelief. As he exited, Ronaldo sarcastically applauded the boisterous Irish fans who filled the stadium, underscoring the emotional weight of the situation as he made his way off the pitch.

But after a VAR review, the referee eventually upgraded his caution to a red card – the first of Ronaldo’s glittering international career on his 226th appearance.

Cristiano Ronaldo knows he made a ‘mistake’ after being sent off in midweek, according to his Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes

Ronaldo was initially shown a yellow card for elbowing the Republic of Ireland’s Dara O’Shea, but the sanction was upgraded to a red following a VAR review

Fernandes claimed Ronaldo’s reaction had ‘cost him dearly’ but noted Portugal had already been trailing in the tie

It was a decision met with disbelief by Ronaldo, who sarcastically applauded the thousands of raucous supporters crowded into the Irish national stadium before trudging towards the tunnel.

Ronaldo was defended in the immediate aftermath of the match by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, who insisted his captain’s act was not ‘violent’ and suggested the angle of the VAR images made the incident look worse.

Speaking ahead of Portugal’s crunch qualifier against Armenia on Sunday, Man United star Fernandes, however, admitted that Ronaldo knows he made a mistake. 

‘That happens in football, a moment where Cris had a reaction that cost him dearly,’ said Fernandes, who had been serving a one-match ban against the Republic of Ireland.

‘Something he didn’t want to do, but it ended up happening.

‘He knows he made a mistake and unfortunately couldn’t help us, but it doesn’t change the fact that we were already behind in the game.

‘It made things a little more difficult, because we were playing with 10 men and didn’t have a player who could score a goal at any moment.’

Despite Portugal’s defeat, Martinez’s side are two points clear at the top of the qualification group and can seal their World Cup berth against Armenia.

Ronaldo reacted with disbelief after being shown the first red card of his international career

The veteran forward had sarcastically put his thumbs up after the red card was confirmed

Ronaldo had made a crying motion to the Republic of Ireland players before the sanction

Ronaldo’s red card means the veteran forward will miss the match through suspension, with reports in Portugal stating he has been released from their camp ahead of the tie.

As straight red cards in international football typically carry a two-match ban, it Ronaldo could miss the first game of his what is sure to be his last-ever World Cup should Portugal seal their place on Sunday and avoid a play-off.

Suspensions picked up as a consequence of an accumulation of yellow cards do not carry over into tournaments, according to FIFA, but straight red cards do.

Just hours before kick-off in Dublin, Ronaldo had ironically promised to be a ‘good boy’ on his return to the Irish capital.

‘I really like the fans here,’ he said in a press conference. ‘The support they give to their national team is lovely.

‘For me, it’s a pleasure to play here again, I hope they don’t boo me too much tomorrow – I swear that I’m going to try to be a good boy.’ 

Speaking post-match, Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson said: ‘I am just proud of the performance from the guys. It was hard work, discipline, focus and, most of all, good teamwork.’

Home supporters had mocked Ronaldo as he made his way off the pitch after the red card

Ronaldo’s red card could see him suspended for Portugal’s first World Cup match if they qualify

Giving his reaction to Ronaldo’s sending off, he added: ‘He [Cristiano Ronaldo] lost his focus a little bit and maybe it was the fans as well.

‘He was frustrated and reacted in a way he knows he shouldn’t.’

‘He said that to me walking away [about Hallgrimsson’s comments about the referee before the game], told me it was a clever thing to do and blamed the referee or whoever for this, but it was just his silly decision to attack our player.’