Dramatic Comeback in Budapest
The Republic of Ireland secured a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Hungary on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, earning them a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs. The match, part of the UEFA Group F qualifiers, saw Ireland twice come from behind before ultimately triumphing in the dying moments of the game.
Hungary initially took the lead in the 3rd minute through Daniel Lukacs. Ireland responded quickly, with Troy Parrott converting a penalty in the 15th minute to level the score. However, Barnabás Varga restored Hungary's lead in the 37th minute, sending the hosts into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
Parrott's Heroics Seal Victory
The second half saw a determined Irish side push for an equalizer. Troy Parrott once again stepped up, scoring his second goal in the 80th minute to make it 2-2. The match appeared destined for a draw until the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time when Parrott completed his hat-trick with a decisive goal in the 96th minute, securing the 3-2 victory for Ireland. This remarkable performance followed his two-goal contribution in Ireland's 2-0 win against Portugal just three days prior.
Parrott, who plays for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie, expressed his emotions after the game, stating, 'This is why we love football, because things like this can happen.' His hat-trick marked him as the first Republic of Ireland player to score a competitive hat-trick since Robbie Keane in 2014, and the first to achieve it in an away game.
Road to the 2026 World Cup Playoffs
The victory ensured Ireland finished second in Group F, behind group winners Portugal, who secured automatic qualification. Under the guidance of coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, Ireland will now participate in the World Cup playoffs, which will feature a new format of single-leg semi-finals and a single-leg final. The draw for these playoffs is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2025, at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland. The playoff matches are set to take place in March 2026, with the winners advancing to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
6 Comments
Raphael
This victory is a huge morale boost and Parrott's hat-trick was historic. Yet, the path through the playoffs will be incredibly challenging, and we need to maintain this form and more to qualify.
Stan Marsh
Incredible drama! That's why we love the game. Deserved win.
Kyle Broflovski
Still conceded two goals. Our defense is a shambles, even with the win.
Stan Marsh
One good game doesn't erase years of disappointment. Playoffs will be tough.
Kyle Broflovski
While the fighting spirit and comeback were inspiring, we can't ignore how easily Hungary scored their goals. The team showed grit, but also highlighted areas for improvement.
Donatello
Parrott was absolutely phenomenal, truly a match-winner. However, relying on last-minute heroics repeatedly isn't a sustainable strategy for the playoffs.