Ireland secure World Cup Playoff spot after magical weekend in Irish Sporting History.

Well, we were not expecting that, were we?

When the Rep. of Ireland side took to the Aviva pitch last Thursday, they realistically knew that they had to beat both Portugal that night and Hungary away the following Sunday to have any chance of qualifying for a playoff place for next summer’s World Cup in North America.

A 2-1 defeat away in Armenia back in September had, for many, ended any hopes Ireland had of qualifying for a playoff spot, but what transpired over the course of last weekend will surely go down as one of the greatest weeks in Irish sporting history.

Win or Bust?

A feverish crowd welcomed Ireland and Portugal last Thursday at the Aviva Stadium, as the 50,000-strong crowd knew exactly what had to happen for the boys in green to have any chance to take it to the last round of fixtures.

Few of the full house that engulfed the south Dublin venue or the millions watching around the world honestly could have imagined Ireland beating the 5th best team in the world before kick-off last Thursday. Portugal are, of course, a team stocked with world-class players, and, oh yeah, they have Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo would go on to play a leading role in events in Dublin, with his red card for a petulant elbow on Dara O’Shea sparking almost comical scenes as he and the crowd sarcastically interacted as he left the pitch.

Ronaldo may have played a big role in what happened last Thursday, but he was not the main character. That honour went to Ireland’s No. 7, Troy Parrott. Parrott, who may not have even been on the field if Evan Ferguson had been fit, stole the show, hitting 2 first-half goals to put Ireland fans in dreamland at halftime.

It’s easy to forget that Ireland were 2 up when Ronaldo was sent off, after a performance of defensive resilience coupled with a dangerous counter-attacking threat. The back 5 of Kelleher, Coleman, O’Brien, Collins, O’Shea and Scales were immense, standing firm against anything the Portuguese threw at them, while up front they had Troy Parrott, whose 2 goals earned his side a famous 2-0 win.

Battle in Budapest

After that heroic win in Dublin, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men faced into their do-or-die clash with Hungary in Budapest. The team knew only a win would see them overtake Hungary into 2nd in the table and a place in the playoff draw.

The manager made just one change to the side that beat Portugal, with Jayson Molumby returning in place of Jack Taylor. The same shape once again suggested that the coach wanted defensive solidity, but that was thrown out of the water with a nightmare start.

Just 3 minutes in, Hungary took the lead to drive the home fans in the Puskas Arena mad and make Ireland’s job even harder. A spirited Irish response was rewarded when a long pass from Dara O’Shea resulted in Chiedozie Ogbene being fouled in the box to give Ireland a penalty after 15 minutes. Parrott, fresh from his 2 goals, stepped up, and after an excruciatingly long wait, fired his team level with an expertly taken spot kick. A defensive lapse then allowed Barnabas Varga to put the hosts 2-1 up with a brilliant left-footed drive. That goal meant Ireland had 45 minutes to find a hero and save their campaign.

Parrott Takes Flight

Step forward, Troy Parrott.

The Dubliner equalised for his team once again in the 80th minute with a deft finish after a through ball from Finn Azaz. That led to a nervy last 10 minutes for everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home. A Johnny Kenny chance came and went, and when 5 minutes were added at the end of the 90, Irish fans knew their chance was nearly gone.

Parrott had other ideas, however.

One last long punt by Caoimhin Kelleher as the match went into the 96th minute was flicked on by Liam Scales, and much like Robbie Keane against Germany in the 2002 World Cup, Parrott somehow got on the end of it to flick it into the Hungary net. That goal sparked joyous scenes as the Irish players, bench and fans, both in Budapest and around the world, celebrated an Irish football moment not witnessed since Robbie Brady’s goal against Italy in Euro 2016.

After the 2-0 win over Portugal, Parrot described it as the best night of his life. His hat-trick in Budapest must have been even better, as he became the first Irish international to hit a hat-trick away from home.

Conclusion

In all of the excitement around the country since Sunday, it’s easy to forget that the team still have 2 World Cup playoffs to navigate to get to North America 2026. That picture has become clearer after the rest of the results, with Ireland in Pot 3 and facing an away trip to one of Czechia, Poland, Wales or Slovakia in March.

That draw takes place on Thursday, 20th November, with fans barely able to contain their excitement after one of the greatest weekends in Irish sporting history.

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