Parrott scores a hat-trick, Ireland advances to the play-offs in Budapest.
The 90+6 goal helped Parrott complete a historic away hat-trick and send Ireland into the World Cup play-offs; Hallgrimsson's team won three consecutive matches for the first time since the 2018 qualifiers.
In the 90+6th minute at Puskas Arena, Troy Parrott pounced on a header from Liam Scales to finish off a rebound, completing his hat-trick and securing the Republic of Ireland's place in the World Cup play-offs. Earlier, the 23-year-old striker had equalized from the penalty spot and leveled the score at 2-2 in the 80th minute, sealing a dramatic comeback victory in Budapest.
The 90+6 moment and the coolness at crucial points.
Trailing early in the match, Parrott maintained his composure during the penalty shootout to bring Ireland back into contention. When Barnabas Varga scored a beautiful goal to put Hungary 2-1 up in the 37th minute, Ireland persevered. In the 80th minute, Parrott cleverly positioned himself and finished with a delicate shot to equalize 2-2. The climax came in the 90+6th minute: Johnny Kenny missed a golden opportunity, but just seconds later, from a one-two with Scales, Parrott rushed in to seal the victory for the home side amidst a thunderous roar of cheers.
Main developments
- Hungary scored an early goal.
- Parrott equalized 1-1 from the penalty spot.
- Barnabas Varga put Hungary ahead 2-1 in the 37th minute.
- Parrott equalized 2-2 in the 80th minute.
- Parrott sealed the victory in the 90+6th minute after a pass from Liam Scales.
Parrott rewrote history in 72 hours.
Just three days earlier, Parrott had scored a brace to help Ireland beat Portugal and keep their hopes alive. In Budapest, he became the first Irish player to score three away goals in an official match. The AZ Alkmaar striker's hat-trick capped off a turbulent qualifying campaign, but at a time when the team needed it most.
“It’s really moving. These are tears of happiness,” Parrott said. “I love where I was born. My family is here. It’s been a long time since I cried – I can’t believe it. Tonight is something I could never have dreamed of.”
Hallgrimsson's revival and legacy.
Ireland's journey hasn't been smooth: they drew with Hungary at home and then lost to Armenia in Yerevan. In Lisbon, Ruben Neves' late header seemed to extinguish all hope. But the team bounced back strongly: they avenged their defeat to Armenia, thrashed Portugal, and overcame Hungary in a breathtaking match, extending their World Cup dream for 24 years.
It was a transformation under coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. From being under pressure at the beginning of the campaign after replacing Stephen Kenny, the Icelandic coach led the team to three consecutive wins for the first time since the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, and stood before the opportunity to replicate the success of his predecessors Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy.
Hallgrimsson emphasized: “This is not the time to look for a hero. Success comes from spirit, unity, and the relentless efforts of the entire team. We are on the right track – and each subsequent match will be bigger than the last.” He added: “Hopefully, in 10 years, people will say, ‘These guys started that journey.’ Success is not about a single moment, but about the journey along the right path.”
Context and impact
Ireland will enter the play-offs in March with a two-match knockout format, meaning a win-or-lose situation – a stark contrast to their previous two-leg format. Their last appearance in the play-offs was in 2017, when they lost to Denmark 1-5 over two legs. The draw for the play-offs will take place next Thursday. Given their current momentum, Ireland have reason to believe in a new chapter.
Selective statistics
- Troy Parrott: the first Irish player to score a hat-trick away from home in an official match.
- This was Ireland's first three consecutive wins since the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
- Most recent playoff appearance: Ireland lost to Denmark 1-5 in 2017 over two legs.
- Current format: 2 knockout matches in March; draw to take place next Thursday.
The night in Budapest began with anxiety and ended with tears of joy. In 72 hours, Parrott went from savior against Portugal to symbol of faith at Puskas Arena. Ireland's World Cup story still has a long way to go, but now it has a more spectacular opening chapter than ever before.
