Home / Sports / Ireland Secures World Cup Play-Off Spot with Dramatic 3-2 Win Over Hungary
Ireland Secures World Cup Play-Off Spot with Dramatic 3-2 Win Over Hungary
16 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Troy Parrott scores hat-trick to lead Ireland's comeback
- Ireland snatches play-off place from Hungary in final minutes
- Portugal clinches top spot with 9-1 win over Armenia
On November 16, 2025, the Republic of Ireland secured a crucial World Cup play-off spot with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hungary in Budapest. The match was a nail-biter, with the hosts taking an early lead through Daniel Lukacs' header. However, Ireland's Troy Parrott equalized from the penalty spot before Hungary regained the advantage through a stunning strike from Barnabas Varga.
Trailing 2-1 in the closing stages, Ireland refused to give up. Parrott scored his second goal to level the match in the 80th minute, and then snatched an unlikely winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time to complete his hat-trick and seal the victory for the visitors.
The result means Ireland, rather than Hungary, will now take part in the World Cup play-offs in March 2026. Portugal, who had already qualified, further cemented their position at the top of the group with a resounding 9-1 win over Armenia.
