Having failed to score for Portugal in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier game against Ireland, the game finished 0-0, with Cristiano Ronaldo being reduced to 10 men early on in the game. The game was pretty hard-fought, and involved some gruelling moments throughout, but after the game, Ronaldo won the hearts of fans with a lovely gesture.
A young Irish fan, perhaps in her early teenage years, stormed on to the pitch and hugged the 37-year-old with tears in her eyes. She was ecstatic to meet the great footballer, and despite being surrounded by the police, the Manchester United striker asked them to go soft on the young girl.
Before she left, Ronaldo gave her his match jersey and before parting ways, he gave a big warm hug which made the girl very happy. The police personnel then dragged the girl out of the scene but she got what he was looking for.
It was an otherwise disappointing day for Portugal in Dublin. Pepe received a red card 81 minutes into the game for allegedly elbowing Callum Robinson. This made things a little difficult for Portugal on the offensive front, especially not having found the net early on.
Portugal had won the reverse fixture 2-1, with Cristiano scoring two late headers just a few days after completing his move to United. In the qualification race, they are currently on level with Serbia but are leading the table on the basis of goal difference.
On Sunday, they will host Serbia in the final game of the qualifiers in Lisbon, which is a virtual knockout game for an automatic qualification into the World Cup that will be held in Qatar. Portugal can advance if they win or draw the game, whilst Serbia have no option but to get a win, which won’t be an easy task.
