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republic of ireland Boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has admitted he may have got into the mind of Cristiano Ronaldo portugal Superstar ruled out of World Cup qualifier after 2-0 defeat dublin,
A day after Hallgrimsson’s insistence, the 40-year-old was sent off for elbowing defender Darra O’Shea at the Aviva Stadium with his team already trailing 2-0. swedish Match official Glenn Nyberg did not allow him to referee the game.
Ronaldo spoke pointedly to the Icelander as he left the pitch and later asked what he had said, Hallgrimsson revealed: “He praised me for putting pressure on the referee.
“It was his actions on the pitch that caused him to get a red card. It was nothing to do with me – unless I got into his head.”
Asked further if he had spoken to the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star after the final whistle, Hallgrimsson said: “No, I think we talked quite a bit when he came off.
“There was nothing to speak about. I would say it was just a little moment of stupidity on his part.”
Ireland were already in the driving seat when Ronaldo’s 59th-minute rush ended their chances, his swinging hand prompting VAR official Pol van Boekel to send Nyberg to the pitchside monitor, before upgrading the yellow card he had initially given to a red.
Portugal boss Roberto Martínez said: “The red card is just a captain who has never been sent off before in 226 games – I think he deserves credit – and today, I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.
“He was caught, pulled, pushed and obviously when he tried to get away from the defender for 60 minutes or 58 minutes in the box…
“I think the action looks worse than it actually is, I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body, but from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. But we accept that.
“The only thing that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth is that yesterday in the press conference your coach was talking about the aspect of referee influence, and then a big centre-half falls to the floor so dramatically at the turn of Cristiano’s body.”
If Ronaldo was the villain, AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott was Ireland’s hero, scoring from close range after 17 minutes and then beating keeper Diogo Costa at his near post on the stroke of half-time to seal the win, equaling famous previous wins over the Netherlands, reigning world champions Germany and Italy.
However, his contribution was only possible due to the green wall erected by Ireland to prevent Ronaldo and his team-mates from repeating their 1-0 win in Lisbon last month.
Parrott told RTE: “This is the best night I’ve ever had in my entire life, I have no words to describe it.”
A defeat would leave Ireland out of the race for second place in the group, following Hungary’s previous 1-0 win in Armenia, and they will have to beat Hungary in Budapest on Sunday if they are to stay in the campaign.