Troy Parrott’s double against Portugal put the Republic of Ireland in the driving seat in their World Cup qualifying group on what was a disastrous night for Cristiano Ronaldo
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo complimented him for his role in getting the Portgual star sent off. The 40-year-old suffered a disastrous night and was dismissed as Ireland claimed a vital win in their World Cup qualifier clash.
A brace from former Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrott delivered the memorable 2-0 triumph over Portugal for Ireland and maintained the nation’s World Cup hopes when they take on Hungary in a decisive Group F clash on Sunday. A win in Budapest will secure Ireland’s spot in next month’s play-offs and spirits will be soaring following one of Ireland’s finest displays against Portugal.
The match also saw Ronaldo shown a straight red card after lashing out at Dara O’Shea. After receiving his marching orders, following a VAR review, the Portugal captain approached the Ireland boss.
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Speaking after the match Hallgrímsson revealed what he said. “He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee,” he said.
“But listen, it had nothing to do with me, it was his action on the pitch that cost him a red card. It had nothing to do with me, unless I got into his head.”
Parrott found the net twice before the interval as 10-man Portugal failed to find a response, leaving Group F wide open. After the match, Hallgrímsson commented: “It was good, we knew there would be spaces and he is clever using them, Chieo [Chiedozie Ogbene] as well supported by Finn [Azaz].
“We should have scored more than two.
“I cannot stop praising the supporters we have, amazing and they have a lot to say in this win, they gave us energy at crucial times and I give them credit.”
Ronaldo responded in the pre-match press conference to Hallgrímsson’s assertion that he was “controlling the referee” during last month’s loss in Lisbon – and maintained it was the Ireland boss who was engaging in psychological warfare with the official.
Hallgrímsson claimed that Ronaldo “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.”
The former Manchester United striker fluffed his lines from the penalty spot during the match, which Portugal clinched courtesy of an injury-time Ruben Neves header.
When confronted with Hallgrímsson’s comments, the ex-Manchester United star responded: “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.”
It marked a third sending-off for an away side in three Aviva Stadium qualifiers – following Hungary and Armenia both being reduced to 10 men.
“He lost his focus a little bit,” Hallgrímsson remarked about Ronaldo. “Again, maybe the fans helped a little bit with that. He was frustrated and reacted in a way that he knew he shouldn’t.”
The stakes are high for Ireland as they head into Sunday’s crucial match in Budapest, needing a victory to secure qualification.
Before last night’s match, Hungary’s result in Armenia meant that Ireland would need at least a draw against Portugal to stand any chance of finishing second.
“That is what we wanted, it is in our hands and with a performance like this we have a chance,” Hallgrímsson said.
“We have to focus and recover, we have tired legs and the staff need to work really hard to get everyone fit and ready because that game is very important now.”