Category sport-news

Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for an elbow as his Portugal side lost 2-0 against Ireland on Thursday and blew another chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Troy Parrott struck twice in the first half to keep Ireland’s hopes of reaching next summer’s tournament alive with a famous victory against Ronaldo and his team-mates in a Group F qualifier.

With Portugal chasing a way back into the game their frustrated captain Ronaldo was dismissed for elbowing Dara O’Shea in the back.

Portugal still lead the group on 10 points, two ahead of Hungary and three in front of Ireland, with one match remaining on Sunday.

The team that finishes top reaches the World Cup automatically, while second place teams reach the play-offs.

“This is probably the best night I have had in my entire life, I have no words to describe it,” AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott told RTE.

“I am overwhelmed… I don’t know what words to use, but I am over the moon.”

Martinez’s side spurned one chance to qualify in October when they drew with Hungary and another went begging at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland recorded an unforgettable triumph.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side knew they had to avoid defeat to still have a chance of qualification after Hungary, second, beat Armenia 1-0 earlier on in Group F. Ireland last reached the World Cup in 2002.

Portugal controlled the ball in the opening stages as Ireland sat back, content to keep the visitors at bay and cause trouble on the counter.

Parrott headed Ireland into a surprise lead after 17 minutes from close range when Liam Scales nodded the ball back across the face of goal from a corner.

Joao Neves fired narrowly wide and Joao Felix headed over as Portugal looked for an equaliser and turned up the pressure.

Chiedozie Ogbene came close at the other end as he got in behind and flashed a shot against the post in front of a fired-up home crowd.

Parrott doubled Ireland’s lead on the stroke of half-time, cutting in from the left and driving past goalkeeper Diogo Costa low at his near post.

 Ronaldo sees red

Ireland were again forced to defend deep after the break but were helped by Ronaldo’s red card after an hour.

The 40-year-old striker showed his frustration by swinging an elbow into O’Shea’s back, and after a VAR review was dismissed.

It completed a disappointing pair of matches for Ronaldo against Ireland, after he missed a penalty when the sides met in Portugal in October.

Ronaldo, the men’s all-time top goalscorer in international football, could potentially miss the start of the World Cup if Portugal qualify, depending on the length of his ban.

This was Ronaldo’s 13th career red card but his first for Portugal.

Ronaldo sarcastically clapped home fans as he departed, and exchanged words with Hallgrimsson, who had warned the officials not to be influenced by the superstar, before eventually shaking the Irish coach’s hand.

“We didn’t manage (to win), we’re sad and disappointed with what we did here today,” said Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva.

“That’s football, credit to the opponent, who are also a very well-organized team and who already caused us great difficulties in Portugal.”

France reached the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 win over Ukraine on Thursday as the country marked the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Paris attacks, while Portugal were made to wait after losing 2-0 in Dublin as Cristiano Ronaldo saw red.

Norway must also be patient after Italy struck late in Moldova to prevent them from stamping their ticket to next year’s tournament in North America.

France’s victory came in an emotionally-charged Parc des Princes, which observed a minute’s silence to mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks in and around Paris on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Most of the 130 people killed in the attacks lost their lives at the Bataclan concert hall in the capital, where they were attending a concert.

But one person died near the Stade de France in the northern Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, where multiple explosions took place as suicide bombers attempted to enter the ground during a friendly between Les Bleus and Germany.

Didier Deschamps was the coach then and remains in charge now, with the approaching World Cup to be his final tournament before stepping down.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

Les Bleus s’imposent 4-0 face à l’Ukraine et se qualifient pour le mondial

pic.twitter.com/ubEzwc9i9y

“Given the context tonight, we are pleased to have put some smiles on faces by securing qualification,” said Deschamps.

“We have fulfilled our objective. I understand that it is seen as normal that France qualify but we still had to go out and do it, so we are very proud.”

Second-half goals by Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise, as well as a first international strike for Hugo Ekitike, gave Deschamps’ side an unassailable six-point lead over both Iceland, who beat Azerbaijan 2-0, and Ukraine at the top of Group D.

While France can now look forward to the draw for the finals, which takes place in Washington, DC, on December 5, Ukraine and Iceland meet each other on Sunday in a shoot-out to decide who continues on into the play-offs next March.

Portugal would have secured top spot in Group F with a win against the Republic of Ireland.

But a Ronaldo red card for violent conduct when trailing 2-0 to a Troy Parrott brace meant Portugal remain on 10 points, three ahead of the Irish and two ahead of Hungary, who won 1-0 against Armenia.

Portugal’s final group match will be against Armenia in Porto on Sunday, while Hungary welcome Ireland in what will likely be a clash for second place.

Parrott headed the hosts into the lead on 17 minutes, before doubling up on the stroke of half-time.

Ireland then dug in deep to frustrate their fancied opponents, whose task effectively became insurmountable when 40-year-old Ronaldo swung an elbow into Dara O’Shea’s back and was dismissed after a VAR review.

Ronaldo, the men’s all-time top goalscorer in international football, could potentially miss the start of the World Cup if Portugal qualify, depending on the length of his ban.

“We didn’t manage (to win), we’re sad and disappointed with what we did here today,” Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva said.

Despite romping to an Erling Haaland-inspired 4-1 win over Estonia, Norway will also have to wait until the final matchday to wrap up their berth at the World Cup.

Forwards Alexander Sorloth and Haaland both netted doubles in the space of 12 second-half minutes earlier in Oslo, but the Norwegians had to wait on Italy’s later match against Moldova before they could be certain of topping Group I.

The Moldovans looked to have done enough to send Stale Solbakken’s side to the finals, until Gianluca Mancini struck on 88 minutes to send Italy on the way to a victory that kept their automatic qualification hopes alive.

Inter Milan forward Pio Esposito doubled Italy’s lead in injury time to ensure Sunday’s meeting between the Italians and Norway at the San Siro will be a blockbuster.

Three points separate the pair but Norway hold an imposing head-to-head record over Italy after cruising to a 3-0 win in their encounter in June.

“It wasn’t easy… We also knew that Norway had won, so it was a bit of a strange atmosphere,” Sandro Tonali told Sky Sport Italia.

“It would mean a lot to us (to beat Norway), because it might not heal the wound, but it will help us push forward.”

In Group K, already-qualified England beat Serbia 2-0 at Wembley courtesy of goals by Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, while Albania edged Andorra 1-0 to sew up second spot.

Chancel Mbemba struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner as the Democratic Republic of Congo edged past Cameroon 1-0 to book a date with Nigeria in the final of the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Leopards’ captain slipped free of his marker to meet Brian Cipenga’s deep corner in the first minute of added time, stunning the five-time African champions and sending DR Congo into Sunday’s decisive clash in Rabat.

The defeat ended Cameroon’s hopes of reaching a ninth World Cup. The Indomitable Lions, Africa’s most frequent participants at the tournament, will miss out on next year’s expanded 48-team edition.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

With just six places separating the teams in the FIFA world rankings, the semi-final encounter was evenly balanced and played in heavy rain that made conditions tricky at the neutral venue in Morocco.

Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana produced a fine low save to keep out Cédric Bakambu just after the hour mark, while Bryan Mbeumo went close for the Lions minutes later.

Mbeumo’s teammate Karl Etta Eyong also squandered two late chances before Mbemba’s decisive finish settled the contest.

DR Congo, whose only World Cup appearance came in 1974, when the country was still known as Zaire, will now face Nigeria, who earlier defeated Gabon 4-1 after extra time, for a spot in the six-nation intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Super Eagles on their emphatic 4-1 victory over Gabon in Thursday’s FIFA World Cup qualifying Africa Playoff match.

Tinubu, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, described the performance as a clear expression of the Nigerian character that rises, adapts, and prevails.

He noted that the team played with courage, balance, and precision, and reminded the country that football has always been one of Nigeria’s most potent symbols of unity and shared pride.

He stated that the victory adds fresh momentum to the national spirit and strengthens the collective resolve to secure a place at the World Cup.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

President Tinubu commended the players, the coaching staff, and the entire technical and administrative crew for their unwavering commitment to the national cause, adding that the dedication has brought the national team victory.

He added that the victory reflects the deep pool of talent that Nigeria continues to produce and the determination of the Super Eagles to reclaim their place among the continent’s most respected teams.

The President also praised the millions of Nigerians at home and abroad who continue to support the team with passion and loyalty, emphasising that their energy remains a powerful driving force for the players, especially at critical moments of international competition.

In a message to the squad, President Tinubu reiterated the need for the team to build on this victory and remain focused on the remaining qualifiers.

He stated that every match presents an opportunity to show discipline and character, and to prove again that Nigeria’s ambition is firmly within reach.

Nigeria strengthened their bid for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday as striker Victor Osimhen scored twice to inspire the Super Eagles to a 4-1 victory over Gabon in extra time, securing their place in the play-off final.

Akor Adams put Nigeria ahead in the 78th minute, but just as the Super Eagles seemed poised for a 1-0 win, Mario Lemina struck for Gabon in the 89th minute, sending the match into extra time.

In extra time, Nigeria regained the lead when substitute Chidera Ejuke scored his first goal for the Super Eagles after 97 minutes.

Osimhen, who squandered a great chance to win the match at the end of regular time, firing wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat, atoned on 102 minutes, firing across goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba into the far corner after being set up by Benjamin Fredrick.

READ ALSO: [World Cup Play-Off] Peterside Confident Of Nigeria’s Victory Against Gabon

He struck again on 110 minutes, controlling a long pass before once again beating Mbaba with a shot into the far corner.

Nigeria will play Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo, who kick off at 1900 GMT, in the African final on Sunday with a place in six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March up for grabs.

The two winners of finals in the tournament will qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured slots.

Nigeria sprang a pre-match surprise by leaving regular captain and centre-back William Troost-Ekong on the bench with Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi wearing the armband.

Another substitute was Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka, whose late goal in a 4-0 group win over Benin last month enabled Nigeria to pip Burkina Faso for a play-offs place.

Nigeria had a purple patch midway through the opening half with Osimhen coming close three times to breaking the deadlock.

The 26-year-old Galatasaray striker headed wide twice, then had an appeal for handball turned down after a VAR review.

There was another VAR check on the hour after Nigeria full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel pulled the shirt of Aaron Appindangoye in the box, denying the defender a chance to connect with a free-kick.

After a lengthy review, Gabonese appeals for a penalty were turned down by South African referee Abongile Tom.

The deadlock in a tense showdown was finally broken when Sevilla winger Adams intercepted a misplaced Gabon pass, rounded goalkeeper Mbaba and scored.

There was an element of luck about the Gabon equaliser as Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali appeared to have the shot from Lemina covered until it took a deflection and sneaked into the corner of the net.

The Super Eagles have unveiled their starting XI for Thursday’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff encounter against Gabon, taking place at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

According to an update on the team’s official X handle, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will captain the side, with Calvin Bassey and Frederick Marshal anchoring the defence.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also confirmed that Alex Iwobi is set to earn his 90th international cap, while Victor Osimhen will lead the frontline alongside Akor Adams.

Team News ️

©️ Ndidi leads the team as captain
️ Bassey and Frederick marshal the defense
Iwobi makes his 90th Super Eagles appearance#NGAGAB #SoarSuperEagles #FIFAWCQ pic.twitter.com/mUaRJy1YqV

Starting line-up:

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali
Defenders: Benjamin Frederick, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Captain), Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze
Forwards: Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams

Substitutes include Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, Michael Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Moses Simon, Obasogie, Nwadike, Chidozie Awaziem, and Olusegun.

The Super Eagles lost the Group C automatic slot to South Africa, finishing on 17 points, one behind the Bafana Bafana after the last round of qualifiers last month.