By Emmanuel Okogba
Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for Portugal's first two matches at the upcoming FIFA World Cup despite receiving a red card in the 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.
Under normal circumstances, violent conduct results in a three-match suspension, which would have ruled the 39-year-old out of the first two matches of his country's group-stage fixtures.
The Al Nassr forward was penalised for violent conduct in the 61st minute after appearing to elbow Dara OShea for an initial yellow card. After a VAR review, referee Glenn Nyberg changed his decision to a red and Ronaldo was given his marching orders.