Even although Portugal had been held to a goalless draw by Ireland of their World Cup qualifier, Cristiano Ronaldo received hearts. The Portuguese gave away his jersey to a bit of woman who had run onto the pitch to hug him after the match.
The fan, sporting an Ireland jersey, evaded safety and ran onto the pitch in direction of Ronaldo to hug him.
Ronaldo noticed the younger woman and as she was about to be taken her away by the safety on the floor, hugged her and gave her his shirt.
The younger woman’s actions could lead on to a hefty penalty of round £2,500 however the Whelan Football Association of Ireland (FAI) launched a press release that the 11-year-old, who was recognized as Addison, can have no motion taken towards her.
“We want to reassure Addison that of course she will not face any fine for running onto the pitch and asking for Ronaldo’s jersey,” stated Cathal Dervan, the FAI’s Media & Football Relations Director. However, the affiliation urged followers to chorus from future encroachments.
“I jumped over the barrier because I was in the second row. I jumped over the first row and over the barrier,” the younger woman informed RTE Radio 1. Describing the thrilling second, she added how the safety personnel chased her and the way Ronaldo requested them to go away her.
“So then I was calling him over. He came over to me. I was just in shock and crying and I was like ‘can I have your jersey? Please, please. I’m a big, huge fan’.”
Later, she was quoted as saying by the Independent that it was her “dream came true” and the report added that she also got tickets to watch Arsenal play at the Emirates Stadium.
As for the match, the draw leaves Portugal ahead of Serbia on goal difference ahead of their decisive match on Sunday in Portugal.
Both teams are tied on 17 points but Portugal has scored three more goals than the Serbians.
Only the group winners automatically qualify for next year’s tournament in Qatar, while the second-place finishers will have to go through a playoff with the other runners-up and two group winners from the UEFA Nations League.
Portugal played a man down from the 82nd after veteran defender Pepe was shown a second yellow card that will keep him from playing against Serbia.
At age 38, Pepe became the oldest player to start for Portugal, surpassing former goalkeeper Vítor Damas by 13 days. It was his 123rd appearance, the fourth-most for the Portuguese national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a few good chances for the visitors but couldn’t capitalize on them.
“We didn’t have many chances but could’ve scored with the ones we created,” Portugal midfielder João Moutinho stated. “We didn’t get the victory but we reached our goal of being in first place, which is what we wanted.”
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