Explained: Why Cristiano Ronaldo won't feature for Portugal in Euro 2024 qualifier against Luxembourg

• Picked up yellow against Slovakia
• Fortunate to not get straight red
• Will watch on from stands through suspension

WHAT HAPPENED? The Portugal skipper was very fortunate to escape further punishment as he caught former Manchester United team-mate Martin Dubravka in the face with a stray boot. However, referee Glenn Nyberg opted to just show a yellow card and Ronaldo survived a VAR review.

WHY WON'T RONALDO PLAY? The striker is suspended as the yellow card he picked up was his third of the European Championship qualifying campaign.

IN TWO PHOTOS:

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THE BIGGER PICTURE: Monday's game against Luxembourg will see a run of 10 consecutive international appearances come to an end for Portugal's all-time record goal-scorer. The last time he didn't feature for his country was back in November 2022 as he missed a 4-0 friendly win over Nigeria through illness.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR RONALDO? He'll have to watch on from the stands as his side take on Luxembourg knowing a win would all but see his side through to next summer's Euros as they look to replicate the heroics of 2016.