TWO MOMENTS SUM up how Portugal’s attitude – or at least that of Cristiano Ronaldo – changed dramatically during this comfortable 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland. The first came when the home side were already a goal up after Sammie Szmodics switched off from a short corner and allowed Joao Felix drill home an 18th-minute opener. Ronaldo, who also struck a deflected free kick off the post just a few moments later, peeled off towards the back post in anticipation of meeting a cross coming from the left wing.
He looked primed to connect with a header off the shoulder of Liam Scales before Robbie Brady appeared out of nowhere with a lunge into his back. You expected a penalty to be given. Instead, referee Chris Kavanagh ignored the appeals.
Ronaldo, showing respect for the English referee’s mother tongue, made it clear what he thought of the decision. “F**k off,” he roared. His mood would not have been helped by the sitter he missed right on the stroke of half-time after Bruno Fernandes teed him on the centre of the 18-yard box.
His shot was tame, straight into the arms of Caoimhin Kelleher. The second moment that illustrated the change of tune came when Jake O’Brien was penalised for bringing Diogo Jota down just outside the area after the Liverpool forward nipped in from behind to steal possession. Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR with everyone expecting a penalty to be awarded.
Instead, Kavanagh cancelled out his decision and when h.