Eventful evening for CR7: He took on his opponent, missed a penalty – and still ensured a happy ending.
Portugal’s new world record holder Cristiano Ronaldo almost let himself be carried away to assault in the World Cup qualifier against Ireland (2-1) on Wednesday evening. Dara O’Shea provoked the 36-year-old before his missed penalty, CR7 was violent.
The said penalty in the 13th minute was given to the Portuguese after a foul on Bruno Fernandes. The ideal chance for Ronaldo, the Portuguese’s regular penalty taker, not only to get his team in the lead, but also to set a new world record.
Cristiano Ronaldo hit Dara O’Shea
CR7 scored 109 goals for the national team and was tied with ex-Bayern striker Ali Daei, who had also scored 109 times for Iran. Another goal in the Portuguese national team jersey would have made Ronaldo the sole record holder.
Ireland’s defender Dara O’Shea didn’t want to make it so easy for the 36-year-old: When Ronaldo had the ball on the penalty spot in O’Shea’s immediate area, the 22-year-old kicked the ball away again. Ronaldo reacted indignantly and lashed out at the Irishman, but only brushed him lightly.
O’Shea held his face and went down dramatically to get another red card for the superstar. This did not exist after the VAR check, but the provocation and distraction of the Irishman still had negative effects on Ronaldo. He failed with an actually hard and neatly placed shot into the left corner at the only 19-year-old Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu from Portsmouth FC.
Cristiano Ronaldo cracks the world record after all
O’Shea then experienced a negative turn in the game: The West Bromwich central defender had to be replaced in the 33rd minute injured.
For Ronaldo, on the other hand, there was a completely crazy happy ending shortly before the end: The superstar, who recently returned to Manchester United after twelve years, scored the equalizer for Portugal with his head in the 90th minute. Ireland took the lead shortly before the break after Ronaldo’s missed shot.
About his miss, Ronaldo then said: “It’s part of the game, part of the business. Sometimes you score, sometimes you make a mistake. But I believed in it until the end of the game.” He did not allow any further questions and ended the interview prematurely.
In the end, Ronaldo got Daei’s world record – and even went one better: his late equalizer was followed by the winning goal in the 96th minute – also with his head.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
