"Ireland have stunned Portugal 2-0 to keep their narrow path to next year's World Cup open and make the Nations League winners wait to book an automatic spot on a night where their captain Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off. Ireland, who have not qualified for a major tournament in a decade and last reached a World Cup in 2002, needed at least a draw on Thursday to keep their qualification hopes alive, and a first half Troy Parrott double capped their best performance in years."
"But they will have to do it without Ronaldo, whose initial yellow card for lashing out with an elbow to the back of Ireland defender Dara O'Shea was upgraded after review to his first-ever red card for Portugal in his 226th appearance. Portugal, who were moments away from securing their seventh successive World Cup appearance a month ago before a stoppage-time Hungarian equaliser in Lisbon, fell behind on 17 minutes after Liam Scales headed a fizzed-in corner back across goal and Parrott could not miss."
Ireland defeated Portugal 2-0 with Troy Parrott scoring twice in the first half, giving Ireland a vital boost in World Cup qualification. Liam Scales set up the opener with a headed corner, and Chiedozie Ogbene hit the post before Parrott added a second just before halftime. Cristiano Ronaldo received a yellow that was upgraded to a red after review for elbowing Dara O'Shea, his first red in 226 appearances. Hungary's win means Ireland must beat Hungary in Budapest to reach next March's playoffs, while Portugal remain two points clear at the top of Group F.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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