Portugal Stumbles as Ronaldo’s Red Card Sparks Criticism

Portugal faced a shocking defeat to Ireland in a World Cup qualifier on March 23, 2023, sparking intense criticism from the Portuguese media, particularly directed at team captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The match saw Ronaldo receive a red card for violent conduct after elbowing Irish defender Dara O’Shea in the second half, leaving Portugal down to ten men and trailing by two goals.

The aftermath of the match was rife with harsh assessments of Ronaldo’s performance. Marco Vaza of Público labeled the veteran forward as the “flop of the match,” noting Ronaldo’s comments that O’Shea was a “crybaby” after the incident. Vaza expressed concerns about Ronaldo’s mental composure during the game, stating, “Portugal had Al-Nassr’s attacking front on the field, but the decision-making was lacking.” Vaza emphasized that while other players like João Neves and Vitinha occasionally showed promise, the overall performance was disappointing.

In a similar vein, A Bola rated Ronaldo a mere 2 out of 10, highlighting the stark contrast between his performance and that of his replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, who earned a 6 out of 10. The publication noted that Ramos “did more in 12 or 13 minutes than Ronaldo, Félix, and Bernardo combined.”

The Spanish newspaper AS took the criticism a step further, describing Ronaldo’s performance as “disgraceful.” The outlet praised Irish player Troy Parrott, noting his composure and maturity, which ultimately earned him the title of man of the match across several reports.

Despite the controversy surrounding the officiating, particularly the decision made by referee Glenn Nyberg via VAR, the Portuguese media largely accepted the call. Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martínez, described the decision as harsh but faced scrutiny for his team’s overall performance. Vaza criticized Martínez for allowing a sense of complacency to settle within the team, suggesting that they treated their qualification as a mere formality. He stated, “Everyone knew how Ireland would play, yet Portugal did not learn from their previous encounter.”

Martínez also faced pointed criticism from Mariana Fernandes of Observador, who highlighted that Portugal has now lost five of their last twenty games and failed to score in eight of those matches. She emphasized that the team’s campaign had fallen below expectations, referencing Martínez’s dismissive comments regarding previous criticism. “The national team had an inexcusable day,” she wrote, criticizing those who always seek excuses for poor performances.

The fallout continued beyond the final whistle, as tensions boiled over among the Portuguese players and their fans. Bernardo Dias and Rúben Dias were reportedly involved in heated exchanges with a section of supporters, with Bernardo displaying frustration through gestures, while teammate João Félix attempted to intervene.

In contrast, Ireland’s performance was hailed for its speed and tactical execution. Afonzo Santos described the Irish attack as “racehorses,” emphasizing the constant threat posed by Ogbene, Azaz, and Parrott. Santos noted that Parrott’s first goal was a “deafening explosion of joy” that left Portuguese players incredulous.

The match served as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of international football, with Portugal’s defeat prompting reflection on their approach ahead of future qualifiers. As the team looks to rebound, the pressure on Martínez and his players will only intensify in the coming weeks.