Parrott show keeps Ireland’s World Cup dream alive as Szoboszlai’s Hungary bow out

This has been one of the great stories in Irish football history. After stunning Portugal in Dublin with a Troy Parrott brace, Ireland have now produced an even wilder chapter. Parrott scored a superb hat trick in Budapest, including a dramatic winner deep into injury time, to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory at the Puskas Arena. Ireland are now through to the World Cup playoffs, while Hungary and their star Dominik Szoboszlai will have to watch the tournament from home.

Parrott’s heroics capped a remarkable week. He had called Thursday’s win over Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal the best night of his life. Four days later, he lived out something even more unbelievable. The former Tottenham forward, now with AZ Alkmaar, only started because Evan Ferguson injured his ankle, but he seized the chance with the performance of his career.

His winning goal arrived in the sixth minute of added time, a scrappy poke past the Hungarian keeper after a long kick from Ireland’s keeper was flicked on by Scales, with Denes Dibusz unable to hold it as Parrott showed pure persistence in the box.

Hungary had looked on course for the playoffs when Daniel Lukacs scored early from a corner, then Barnabas Varga smashed in a brilliant left foot half volley in the thirty seventh minute. Szoboszlai played with real quality but the home side began to wilt under Ireland’s relentless pressure, especially after word filtered through that Portugal had just crushed Armenia nine to one to seal top spot.

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson stuck with the direct approach that unsettled Portugal, and his players delivered again. At the other end, keeper Caoimhin Kelleher made crucial saves to keep Ireland alive.

In the closing minutes, Hungary tried to run the clock down but failed. “They wasted their own time and that is quite funny,” Hallgrimsson said with a smile. “We now need to take this moment and keep improving.” The Icelander has a lot of experience, who co-managed his home nation at Euro 2016 and then led them at the 2018 World Cup as well. He is trying to do the same with Ireland here.

Ireland finished second in the group ahead of Hungary, who now drop into the March playoff, while Portugal have already qualified after their 9 to 1 win over Armenia without Cristiano Ronaldo, who was sent off against Ireland in the previous match for elbowing O'Shea. Awaiting Ireland in March are two single leg playoff games that will decide whether they reach the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada next June. If they come through those matches, Ireland will return to the World Cup finals for the first time since their run to the last sixteen in 2002. The draw for the playoffs, which will be played against other UEFA sides, takes place on Thursday this week.