Hallgr\u00edmsson<\/a> in his pre-match press conference, when he accused the Portugal star of \u201ccontrolling the referee\u201d in Lisbon.<\/p>\nAnd he was critical too of O\u2019Shea, saying: \u201cThe red card is from a captain who has never been sent off in 226 games, I think it was a bit harsh.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe cares about the team, it\u2019s 58 minutes of being grabbed and pushed in the box, I think the action looks worse than it is, I think it is [a turn of] Ronaldo\u2019s full body, rather than an elbow.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a red card for the right reasons, as he cares, he was frustrated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is disappointing is your coach was talking in the press conference about the aspect of the referee being influenced, then a big centre-back falls on the floor, dramatically.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronaldo\u2019s red card all but ended Portugal\u2019s hopes of a comeback. They were 2-0 down at that stage, thanks to a Troy Parrott brace.<\/p>\n
Hallgr\u00edmsson, in his pre-match remarks, said that Ronaldo \u201cwas 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
And when the Ireland manager\u2019s comments were put to him, on the eve of the game, Ronaldo replied: \u201cI think he tried to make pressure to the referee because, for sure, he’s a smart guy, he knows where they can push.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Martinez added that Ireland\u2019s performance made it difficult for his side.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to credit Ireland. We knew what they were going to do. A well-organised team who would defend in a low block and not take any risks. We had three new players, lost three important players and we started very slow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t do what we wanted on the ball and opened up their counter-attacks, simple long balls we couldn\u2019t deal with.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe concede from a corner where Ireland do well. So everything we expected from the Irish team happened, it was no surprise. The key moments went in their favour, they scored before we took control and were looking like scoring and they get the second in the 44th minute.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey get the energy from the crowd. Hopeful football hurt us too much.\u201d<\/p>\n
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![\"Dara](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_inpho_02826694.jpg\")
Dara O’Shea and Nathan Collins look on as Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch after his red card(Image: INPHO\/Ryan Byrne)<\/p>\n