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Referee Matej Jug speaks to Seamus Coleman from the Republic of Ireland and Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal. REUTERS / Pedro Nunes
Cristiano Ronaldo was lucky not to be sent off in the first half of the Irish World Cup qualifier against Portugal.
A header from John Egan gave Ireland the lead at halftime in the Algarve , but there was a controversial moment early in the game after the home side was awarded a penalty for a foul by Jeff Hendrick on Bruno Fernandes.
While Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu showed a brilliant save to prevent Ronaldo from scoring a record, The footage showed the Man United striker extending an arm towards Ireland’s defender Dara O’Shea.
The referee did nothing and the VAR did not investigate the incident, but Liam Brady said at halftime on RTÉ that Ronaldo « easily » could have been sent off.
« If the referee sees it, or if the VAR tells him to take a look, he could have been sent off very easily can. But he is Ronaldo and I suppose there is an element of ‘is he too big to leave the pitch?’ «
0-1 Liam Brady says Ronaldo was static and maybe happy not off the pitch « The Portuguese were too self-confident and none more than him. » Updates: https://t.co/GOIoYrakdy Watch: https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE Listen: https://t.co/ QHSJNYlfx8 # PORIRL pic.twitter.com/TEMT25PA2B
« Even at the EM, I know he scored five goals and got the golden shoe … he’s very static now, » added Brady.
« He doesn’t move and he doesn’t run off the ball and he wasn’t really a problem for the Irish team. »Our free weekly newsletter will keep you up-to-date with the facts about the Irish football scene with our football correspondent Daniel McDonnell and an experienced team of writers .
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