Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a dramatic red card during Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Portugal. The 40-year-old received his marching orders from referee Glenn Nyberg following a VAR review, after initially being shown a yellow card. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid icon appeared to catch Dara O’Shea with an elbow whilst challenging for the ball.

Ronaldo pulled a crying face gesture on the pitch and offered sarcastic applause as he made his way off before approaching Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson on the touchline. The two men exchanged a handshake shortly afterwards as Ronaldo headed towards the tunnel.

Prior to kick-off, Hallgrimsson had called on the referee to maintain control and not let Ronaldo influence proceedings, following the Portuguese legend’s persistent communication with Slovakian official Ivan Kruzliak during last month’s encounter between the nations in Lisbon.

During that fixture, Portugal were given a spot-kick which Ronaldo failed to convert, with Caoimhin Kelleher making the save, before a late Ruben Neves strike secured victory for the hosts.

Hallgrimsson said: “Obviously it’s up to the referee if he (Ronaldo) takes part in a play, but the thing in Portugal, he was not only controlling the referee, he was controlling the whole stadium, so all the fans supported his actions and the referee just kind of played along.

“I hope it will be the vice-versa now we are in the Aviva. Obviously a player shouldn’t be refereeing, it should be the officials doing the refereeing.

“I hope the people here will see that and recognise that if they want to affect the game, they shouldn’t at least affect the referee.”

In response to these remarks ahead of Thursday’s match, Ronaldo stated: “I think he tried to make pressure to the referee because, for sure, he’s a smart guy, he knows where they can push.

“I’ve been in the game so many years and I know how the coach thinks and how they try to make pressure or take away the pressure from their players. It’s normal, because they know if they lose tomorrow, they are out. So they try to make things around the game, to try to do things.

“But we have to be prepared for a tough game. I think it will be very similar to the game they play in Lisbon.

“And they [Ireland] have the chance. They are a good team. So we are prepared. I think Portugal will. have a good game and we’re going to win the match.”