Troy Parrott delivered a heroic hat-trick as the Republic of Ireland came from behind to beat Hungary 3-2 in Budapest to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs.
Ireland, buoyed by their stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal on Thursday, needed a win to keep their dream of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2002 alive. But Daniel Lukacs’ fourth-minute header handed Hungary the perfect start.
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Parrott levelled from the penalty spot, only for Barnabas Varga to restore Hungary’s lead with a spectacular strike before half-time. In a tense second half, Parrott reignited Irish hopes with a composed finish 10 minutes from time.
With the clock deep into stoppage time and Ireland throwing everything forward, substitute Johnny Kenny was denied by goalkeeper Dénes Dibusz, but Parrott, the two-goal hero against Portugal, reacted quickest to poke home the dramatic 96th-minute winner at a stunned Puskás Arena.
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The result leaves Hungary, captained by Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai, heartbroken as their wait for a first World Cup appearance since 1986 continues.
In Sunday’s other Group F match, Portugal hammered Armenia 9-1 to secure top spot and automatic qualification.
“I’m so emotional right now. What a night. This is why we love football, because things like this can happen. I will never have a better night in my whole life,” Parrott said.
Parrott’s hat-trick, the first ever by a Republic of Ireland player on foreign soil, sealed Ireland’s place in the World Cup play-off draw on November 20.
The 22-year-old now has 13 goals in 14 club games this season, including six in the Eredivisie and seven in the Conference League qualifiers.
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson praised his star striker but emphasised the collective effort.
