Bruno Fernandes accidentally receives red card

Portugal maintained their perfect Nations League record on Thursday, beating Norway 2-1 at the Estadio do Dragao to reach the last eight under new head coach Jorge Jesus.

Kristoffer Ajer put Norway ahead with a stunning half-volley, only for Joao Cancelo to level within two minutes and Goncalo Ramos to settle the contest late on.

Portugal had to see out the closing stages with ten men, Francisco Conceicao sent off in the 86th minute for two quick bookings, leaving the hosts to navigate a nervy finish while protecting their lead.

That nervous finish produced an extraordinary moment of confusion just a minute later, involving United’s own captain.

Bruno Fernandes committed a late challenge on Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup, conceding a free-kick on the left wing in the chaotic closing stretch.

Bruno Fernandes accidentally receives red card

Referee Maurizio Mariani reached for his pocket to book Bruno Fernandes, but in the confusion of having just sent off Conceicao moments earlier, mixed up his cards and initially showed the United captain a straight red.

The mistake was quickly spotted and corrected, with Mariani apologising to Fernandes before downgrading the card to a yellow, sparing United’s captain an early bath and a potential suspension.

It’s not the first time Fernandes has found himself at the centre of refereeing confusion.

He was controversially sent off for Manchester United against Tottenham last season, a red card for a high challenge on James Maddison that PGMOL chief Howard Webb later admitted should have been overturned by VAR, with United’s appeal successfully quashing the resulting ban.

He also avoided a second red card entirely during the Manchester derby defeat to City last month, with Enzo Maresca arguing afterwards that Fernandes should have been dismissed alongside Phil Foden for his part in the flashpoint that saw City reduced to ten men.

Immediately after Thursday’s correctly issued yellow, Fernandes was substituted for Francisco Trincao, bringing an end to his evening in Porto.

Portuguese media have since reacted to his overall performance, with A Bola rating him 5/10 and noting he was “directly involved in Ajer’s goal, losing the aerial duel,” while also praising Diogo Dalot’s second-half cameo after coming on for Cancelo.

Both players are now expected to return to Old Trafford once the international break concludes.